Nuclear engineer
Also known as: nuclear technology engineering expert, nuclear engineering consultant, atomic safety engineer, atomic facility engineer, atomic power engineer, nuclear power engineer
About this occupation
Nuclear engineers plan and design engineering equipment and processes in nuclear plants and sites. They engage in engineering activities pertaining to nuclear power plants, and develop risk solutions.
A specialisation of energy engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- technical drawings
- ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations
- perform scientific research
- engineering processes
- nuclear reprocessing
- use technical drawing software
- nuclear energy
- monitor nuclear power plant systems
- metrology
- calibrate precision instrument
- calculate exposure to radiation
- contamination exposure regulations
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Nuclear Engineers (O*NET 17-2161.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Mathematics
US median pay: US$133,970 a year (2025), 15,280 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsExtremely important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.9)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (3.7)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.5)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- 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
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.