What You'll Do

  • Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
  • Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
  • Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
  • Perform experiments that will provide information about acceptable methods of nuclear material usage, nuclear fuel reclamation, or waste disposal.
  • Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
  • Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
  • Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
  • 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.
  • Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
  • Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.

Essential Skills

Science 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 4.12/5
Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Writing 4.0/5
Mathematics 4.0/5
Monitoring 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 4.0/5
Active Learning 3.88/5
Speaking 3.75/5
Operations Analysis 3.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Analytical Thinking, Dependability, Self-Control

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 4.62/5
Written Expression 4.12/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Information Ordering 4.0/5
Category Flexibility 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

ANISN dose assessment computer code BERMUDA nuclear transport computer codes C++ Computer aided design CAD software Desktop publishing software Discrete ordinates DORT dose assessment computer codes FOLLOW code Formula translation/translator FORTRAN Graphics software INCORE code Linux Maplesoft Maple Mathematical simulation software Mathsoft Mathcad MCNP dose assessment computer code MERCURE dose assessment computer codes Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.76/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.67/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.3/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.14/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Atomic Process Engineer Core Measures Abstractor Engineer Engineering Officer Instrumentation and Controls Engineer Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer Nuclear Design Engineer Nuclear Electrician Nuclear Engineer Nuclear Equipment Design Engineer Nuclear Equipment Research Engineer Nuclear Equipment Test Engineer Nuclear Fuels Reclamation Engineer Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer Nuclear Licensing Engineer Nuclear Mechanic Nuclear Officer Nuclear Plant Technical Advisor Nuclear Power Plant Engineer Nuclear Process Engineer Nuclear Project Manager (Nuclear PM) Nuclear Radiation Engineer Nuclear Reactor Engineer Nuclear Safety Engineer Nuclear Steam Supply System Engineer (NSSS Engineer) Nuclear Test Reactor Program Coordinator Nuclear Waste Management Engineer Radiation Engineer Radiation Officer Radiation Protection Engineer Radioactive Materials Waste Management Engineer Radiological Defense Officer Radiological Engineer Reactor Engineer Reactor Projects Engineer Regulatory Compliance Coordinator Regulatory Coordinator Steam Technical Advisor Survivability Engineer System Engineer Weapons Designer Weapons Engineer