The profession of a nuclear engineer involves designing, building, operating, and shutting down nuclear power plants. Working in multidisciplinary teams to develop technological solutions is a requirement for a nuclear engineering career.

They may be creating entirely new systems, maintaining current systems, or finding ways to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and durability of nuclear power plants, depending on their role. The closure of facilities is also an important duty, since the storage and disposal of radioactive material used in nuclear power plants requires careful planning and compliance with established safety regulations.

Nuclear Engineer Responsibilities

Nuclear engineers often perform the following tasks:

• Create nuclear equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, and related instrumentation.

• Supervise the operation or maintenance of operational nuclear power reactors to verify that safety criteria are met.

• Provide operating instructions for nuclear power plant operations or nuclear waste processing and disposal.

• Monitor activities at nuclear facilities to discover unsafe design, construction, or operating practices.

• Experiment to determine if nuclear material use, nuclear fuel recovery, or nuclear waste disposal techniques are appropriate. In emergencies, take corrective action or order plant closures.

Required skills

• Strong organizational skills to understand complicated monitoring and operating system issues.

• Problem solving skills to deal with construction or repair issues.

• Excellent aptitude in mathematics and information technology.

• The will to keep up with the rapid advances in science and technology.

• The ability to discuss employment concerns with co-workers and outside specialists.

• Communication skills are needed to talk to people about nuclear issues or the nuclear industry.

Professional oportunities

test engineers

Test engineers design and implement a variety of tests to assess the effectiveness and reliability of nuclear products. They oversee all aspects of test programs, including evaluating standard methodology and developing bug fixes.

Additional responsibilities may include developing final test methods, collaborating with product design teams, educating employees, and providing support as needed.

power plant operators

Power plant operators operate and maintain equipment that generates electricity. To adjust and regulate the settings and uses of equipment, they rely on a variety of instruments and software. Other responsibilities may include monitoring transmission loads and line voltages, troubleshooting generators, turbines, and boilers, and preparing documentation for power plant equipment and operating routines.

Engineering Technician

Nuclear engineering experts collaborate with engineering technicians to design and build materials and machines used in stores, repair shops, healthcare institutions, and industries. They keep the operations and designs of equipment and machinery up to date.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Nuclear medicine technologists use equipment to take pictures of different parts of a patient’s body.

They make and administer radioactive drugs to patients. Radioactive substances make abnormal parts of the body appear different in photos than normal areas.

Systems Engineer

The creative minds behind computer programs are known as software developers. Some create apps that allow people to perform specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others create the underlying mechanisms that power the devices or govern the channels.

Manufacturing Engineers

Manufacturing engineers improve the manufacturing of products such as medicines and food. They develop budgets based on customer needs and collaborate with stakeholders and customers to set expectations. Additional responsibilities may include developing manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment, repairing errors or failures in equipment, and supervising engineering and technical workers.