Life As a Nuclear Engineer
Example of Nuclear Engineer Job 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.
Nuclear Engineer Responsibilities
- Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
- Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors or power plants or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
- Conduct environmental studies related to topics such as nuclear power generation, nuclear waste disposal, or nuclear weapon deployment.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.
Qualities of a Nuclear Engineer
Below is a list of the skills most Nuclear Engineers say are important on the job.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Nuclear Engineer Job Titles
- Nuclear Equipment Test Engineer
- Weapons Designer
- Nuclear Radiation Engineer
- Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer
- Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
Nuclear Engineer Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,700 jobs in the United States for Nuclear Engineer. 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.
Nuclear Engineer Salary
Nuclear Engineers make between $68,560 and $162,360 a year.
Nuclear Engineers who work in New Mexico, California, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Nuclear Engineers in different U.S. states.
| 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
How do I Become a Nuclear Engineer?
Individuals working as a Nuclear Engineer have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Nuclear Engineer?
Where do Nuclear Engineers Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Nuclear Engineers employed by various industries.
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References:
Image Credit: Siemens Pressebild via CC BY-SA 3.0
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