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Associate Nuclear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

$85 - $120/hr

We are seeking an Associate Nuclear Engineer to join the Incident Modeling and Computational Sciences (IMCS) Group in the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

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How much do associate nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate nuclear engineer in the United States is $82,636.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $95,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate nuclear engineer?

An Associate Nuclear Engineer is an entry-level engineering professional who supports the design, analysis, and maintenance of nuclear systems, reactors, and related technologies. They assist senior engineers in conducting research, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving safety protocols. Their work may involve simulations, radiation shielding calculations, and troubleshooting reactor performance. Typically, they are employed in energy plants, government agencies, or research institutions.

What does an associate nuclear engineer do?

As an Associate Nuclear Engineer, your daily responsibilities may include assisting senior engineers with reactor design analysis, preparing safety documentation, supporting regulatory compliance activities, and conducting simulations or data analysis for operational efficiency. You might also participate in regular team meetings, collaborate with health physicists, and help troubleshoot engineering issues in nuclear systems or power plants. This role provides hands-on experience with advanced technologies and industry practices, offering valuable learning opportunities while working closely with experienced professionals. Such diverse tasks help you build foundational skills and prepare for more senior roles in the nuclear engineering field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate nuclear engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Nuclear Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear engineering or a related discipline, strong analytical skills, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with industry-standard software (such as MATLAB, AutoCAD, or MCNP), radiation safety protocols, and regulatory compliance is vital, and certifications like Engineer-in-Training (EIT) are advantageous. Effective teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication are standout soft skills in this field. These skills ensure safe operation, technical accuracy, and effective collaboration within multidisciplinary engineering teams working on complex nuclear projects.

Can you get an associate nuclear engineer in nuclear engineering?

An associate nuclear engineer is a junior-level position in nuclear engineering that typically requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. Entry-level roles may also require relevant internships, technical skills, and sometimes certification or security clearances depending on the employer. Advancement often involves gaining experience and additional certifications such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

How hard is it to get a job as an associate nuclear engineer?

Securing an associate nuclear engineer position typically requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field, along with relevant internships or experience. Competition can be moderate, and strong technical skills, certifications, and knowledge of safety protocols improve job prospects.

Is there a demand for associate nuclear engineers?

The demand for associate nuclear engineers remains steady due to ongoing operations and maintenance of nuclear power plants, as well as new plant developments and upgrades. Employers seek candidates with strong technical skills, safety knowledge, and relevant certifications, making it a stable career choice in the energy sector.
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Infographic showing various Associate Nuclear Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,636 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Associate Nuclear Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

$85K - $102K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories

Job description

Requisition Id 16957
Overview:
We are seeking an Associate Nuclear Engineer to join the Incident Modeling and Computational Sciences (IMCS) Group in the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). IMCS develops and maintains state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools supporting nuclear facility incident analyses, nuclear weapon effects, radiological consequence management, and other needs for DOE, DOW, and DHS sponsors.
In this role, you will apply reactor physics, depletion, criticality safety, and radiation transport modeling and simulation to characterize nuclear fuel cycle activities and materials, with particular emphasis on advanced and small modular reactors and the used nuclear fuel they produce. You will build and execute computational models using tools such as SCALE, MCNP, OpenMC, and Serpent on high-performance computing platforms; quantify uncertainty and modeling bias in calculated results; establish and document defensible analysis methods and best practices; and communicate findings through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and briefings for federal sponsors.
This is an early-career position intended for a candidate who will work alongside and learn from experienced staff while independently executing assigned technical analyses. The successful candidate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of nuclear engineers, physicists, and computational scientists, and will grow into a principal contributor on the group's modeling and simulation portfolio.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Apply reactor physics, depletion, criticality safety, and radiation transport modeling and simulation to characterize nuclear fuel cycle activities and materials, with particular emphasis on advanced and small modular reactors and the used nuclear fuel they produce.
  • You will build and execute computational models using tools such as SCALE, MCNP, OpenMC, and Serpent on high-performance computing platforms
  • Quantify uncertainty and modeling bias in calculated results
  • Establish and document defensible analysis methods and best practices
  • Communicate findings through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and briefings for federal sponsors.

Basic Qualifications:
  • A PhD in nuclear engineering, nuclear science, or a related technical field; or an MS in one of these fields with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; or a BS in one of these fields with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience. A combination of education and experience may also be considered.
  • Demonstrated experience building, executing, and interpreting reactor physics, depletion, or radiation transport models using at least one production-quality code such as SCALE, MCNP, OpenMC, or Serpent.
  • Working knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, including reactor operation, used nuclear fuel characterization, and the fundamentals of criticality safety and radiation shielding.
  • Experience scripting in Python, or a comparable language, to automate model construction, execution, and post-processing of simulation results.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present technical results to both technical peers and sponsor audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience modeling advanced or small modular reactors and their fuel cycles, such as TRISO-fueled pebble bed or prismatic high-temperature reactors, sodium fast reactors, or molten salt reactors.
  • Experience characterizing used nuclear fuel for storage and transportation applications, including criticality safety, burnup credit, source term generation, and dose rate compliance.
  • Experience with uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, parametric studies, and the quantification of modeling bias in simulation results.
  • Experience executing large simulation campaigns on high-performance computing resources using job schedulers such as SLURM or PBS.
  • Familiarity with nuclear data processing and multigroup cross-section generation tools such as AMPX or NJOY.
  • Experience applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, or surrogate modeling methods to nuclear engineering or fuel cycle problems.
  • A record of peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations in reactor physics, fuel cycle analysis, or used nuclear fuel characterization.
  • Familiarity with nuclear nonproliferation, international safeguards, material attractiveness, or proliferation and terrorism risk assessment concepts.
  • Experience developing technical products and briefings for U.S. government sponsors.
  • An ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs.

Special Requirements:
  • Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: Q Clearance with SCI: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.
  • Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ORNL:
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.
ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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