Nuclear Engineer Job Description

Nuclear Engineering: Career Opportunities in the Military

Nuclear engineers work to harness the energy released from nuclear reactions. Nuclear engineering deals with the application of nuclear energy in a variety of settings, including nuclear power plants, submarine propulsion systems, medical diagnostic equipment, food production, nuclear weapons and radioactive-waste disposal facilities. The military has had a great influence on nuclear engineering.

The military made contributions to nuclear power generation. The first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, was ordered in 1951 and launched in 1954. Over the next three decades, Rickover led the design and construction of dozens of nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.

A newly graduated nuclear engineer with a bachelor's degree made an average salary of over $80,000 as of July of this year. A senior engineer with a master's degree and more than 15 years of experience made from 97,012 to $145,880, while a midlevel engineer with a master's degree and five to 10 years of experience made from 75,157 to $117,138. Many engineers with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions.

Nuclear engineers' employment is projected to grow 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, about the same as the average for all occupations, according to the BLS. Employment trends in power generation may be good because of the need to upgrade safety systems. Highly qualified applicants should be able to find many opportunities, particularly those who have kept up with the latest developments in technology.

The Careers of Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes and instruments used to derive benefits from nuclear energy. Nuclear engineers have good mathematical and physics knowledge. They are good at communicating and are good at thinking and reasoning.

Nuclear engineers can find good opportunities in utilities that build nuclear power plants. Job prospects are expected to be helped by operating extensions being granted to older nuclear power plants. Nuclear engineers should train fields such as nuclear medicine to get the best employment opportunities.

A bachelor's degree is required for entry-level nuclear engineering jobs in the private sector. Bachelor's degree programs usually include classroom, laboratory, and field studies in subjects such as mathematics and engineering principles. College and universities offer programs in which students can gain work experience while completing their education.

Some universities offer programs that lead to a bachelor's degree. A graduate degree can allow an engineer to work in research and development. Students can gain experience and finance part of their education with some 5-year or 6-year cooperative-education plans.

The federal government hired 20% of all nuclear engineers in 2019. Nuclear engineers were employed by the scientific research and development services industry, 9% were employed by manufacturing services and 6% by engineering services. Nuclear engineers work in offices.

Nuclear Engineering: Careers and Opportunities for Engineer

Nuclear engineers are usually people who are detail oriented, have a high degree of mental focus and discipline, and have a natural aptitude in physics and mathematics. They are people with a passion for science and technology and a professional interest in ensuring nuclear energy systems are created safely and efficiently. Nuclear engineering is a field that requires a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering, but there are other programs that can help you get the required knowledge to work as a nuclear engineer.

Nuclear engineers design and develop nuclear equipment and conduct research into problems surrounding nuclear energy systems. Nuclear engineers can also monitor the testing of nuclear reactor. Nuclear engineers have a wide range of factors that affect their salary level, from their education to their experience to their responsibilities.

Nuclear engineers that are more experienced in the field are more likely to start working for new graduates as nuclear engineers. Nuclear engineers take on projects of increasing difficulty and responsibility as they gain more experience. Nuclear engineers with experience, knowledge and professional competence can become specialists in a certain area or supervise a team of engineers.

The Nuclear Industry: Prospects for New Power

Nuclear technology is hazardous. Nuclear engineers have to be aware of the risks and benefits of nuclear radiation. They have to place the highest importance on safety.

Nuclear power has become more popular due to the threat of global warming. It is possible that existing reactor will operate for longer than previously thought. The government is looking into the possibility of new nuclear power and continued nuclear operation in order to help meet climate change targets.

Nuclear power stations are the largest source of electricity in Europe, accounting for 35 per cent of the EU's electricity. Employment prospects in the UK and overseas are excellent. BEng and MEng degrees are the most common entry qualifications.

Science and technology subjects may be suitable as the industry draws on many different engineering skills. British Energy and The British Nuclear Group have graduate training schemes. The British Nuclear Group's two-year graduate development programme - Elements - involves being assigned a personal mentor to give expert one-to-one technical advice and career guidance throughout the programme.

Nuclear Engineering: A Career Overview

Nuclear engineers use radioactive elements that can beneficial in energy applications. They use their extensive education to develop and maintain nuclear equipment and devices. Nuclear engineers research and develop systems and equipment to transform nuclear energy and radiation into applications.

They find ways to use radioactive materials for medical and industrial purposes. Nuclear engineers often work with other engineers and designers to implement their plans in safe and efficient ways. Nuclear engineers who work in healthcare research and develop medicines and radiological equipment are also Nuclear engineers who work industrial applications develop and monitor food production systems, nuclear propulsion systems and nuclear weaponry.

Even though a master's degree in nuclear science and technology is not required to enter the field, it can help you get a job in management and executive positions. You can further your credentials in the field by specializing in related nuclear engineering subsets. You can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after you have at least three to four years of experience in the field.

Nuclear engineers work in laboratories and office environments, but their work setting can vary based on the industry. Nuclear engineers who work in power and energy generation work in nuclear power plants. Some people work in nuclear medicine, developing radioactive materials.

Many engineers work for government agencies and consulting firms and they often work as part of an engineering team to collaborate with other industry professionals and incorporate shared designs. Engineers work a 40-hour workweek, though some may work longer hours as necessary. Nuclear engineer roles require a bachelor's degree, years of experience or an internship, plus credentials, so it will take at least four years to become an entry-level nuclear engineer.