Nuclear Engineers

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.

Median Annual Wage: $100,470

Education: Bachelor's degree (50%); Master's degree (32%); Post-baccalaureate certificate (5%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Engineer; Scientist; Nuclear Engineer; Nuclear Reactor Engineer; Nuclear Licensing Engineer; Nuclear Design Engineer; System Engineer; Resident Inspector; Criticality Safety Engineer; Generation Engineer

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Nuclear Engineers.

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  • Direct operating or maintenance activities of operational nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
  • Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or that could jeopardize the safety of operations.
  • Examine accidents to obtain data that can be used to design preventive measures.
  • Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
  • Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
  • Prepare construction project proposals that include cost estimates, and discuss proposals with interested parties such as vendors, contractors, and nuclear facility review boards.
  • Perform experiments that will provide information about acceptable methods of nuclear material usage, nuclear fuel reclamation, or waste disposal.
  • Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.
  • Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
  • Design and direct nuclear research projects to discover facts, to test or modify theoretical models, or to develop new theoretical models or new uses for current models.
  • 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.
  • Synthesize analyses of test results, and use the results to prepare technical reports of findings and recommendations.
  • Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors or power plants or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
  • Analyze available data and consult with other scientists to determine parameters of experimentation and suitability of analytical models.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Nuclear Engineers.

  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Nuclear Engineers.

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