Life As a Nuclear Engineer
Job Description: Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Life As a Nuclear Engineer
- Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.
- Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
- Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Design fuel cycle models or processes to reduce the quantity of radioactive waste generated from nuclear activities.
- Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.
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Nuclear Engineer Skills
Nuclear Engineers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Radioactive Materials Waste Management Engineer
- Nuclear Equipment Design Engineer
- Radiation Engineer
- Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
- Engineering Officer
Nuclear Engineer Job Outlook
There were about 17,700 jobs for Nuclear Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 700 new jobs for Nuclear Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Nuclear Engineer are Nevada, Florida, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Alabama, Mississippi, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Nuclear Engineer
The average yearly salary of a Nuclear Engineer ranges between $68,560 and $162,360.
Nuclear Engineers who work in New Mexico, California, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Nuclear Engineers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $102,100 |
| California | $132,180 |
| Connecticut | $112,430 |
| Florida | $103,680 |
| Idaho | $128,270 |
| Illinois | $117,710 |
| Kansas | $113,690 |
| Louisiana | $98,900 |
| Maryland | $137,930 |
| Michigan | $100,890 |
| Mississippi | $99,900 |
| Missouri | $97,070 |
| Nebraska | $103,370 |
| New Hampshire | $125,330 |
| New Mexico | $136,310 |
| New York | $112,400 |
| North Carolina | $113,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $115,760 |
| South Carolina | $101,420 |
| Tennessee | $126,300 |
| Texas | $90,260 |
| Virginia | $87,340 |
| Washington | $100,260 |
| Wisconsin | $120,330 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Nuclear Engineers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Nuclear Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Linux
- UNIX
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Salesforce software
- Graphics software
- SAP software
- Presentation software
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Software development tools
Becoming a Nuclear Engineer
What kind of Nuclear Engineer requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Nuclear Engineer?
Who Employs Nuclear Engineers?
Nuclear Engineers work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Nuclear Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Siemens Pressebild via CC BY-SA 3.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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