Nuclear Engineers

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Architecture & Engineering
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-2161
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
• Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
• Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
• Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
• Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
• Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
• Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
• Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
• Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
• Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.
• Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.
• Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.

Tools and technology

C++, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Oracle Java, Python, SAP software, SAS, Salesforce software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
• Nuclear Technicians
• Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
• Chemical Engineers
• Geothermal Production Managers
• Environmental Engineers
• Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
• Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Nuclear Engineers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.