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How much do associate nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 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.

Can you make $500,000 as a nuclear engineer?

Nuclear engineers typically earn a median annual salary around $120,000, with top earners in senior or specialized roles reaching approximately $150,000 to $200,000. Achieving a $500,000 salary generally requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, management responsibilities, or working in high-paying industries or locations, which are uncommon for standard nuclear engineering positions.

What is an Associate Nuclear Engineer job?

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 are the typical responsibilities of an Associate Nuclear Engineer on a daily basis?

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 engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced nuclear engineers, especially those in senior leadership roles or working in specialized sectors like nuclear power plant management or consulting, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually. Achieving this level typically requires advanced certifications, extensive experience, and often involves bonuses or profit-sharing arrangements.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior nuclear engineers, including associate nuclear engineers with extensive experience and advanced certifications, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in specialized roles or high-demand facilities. Such compensation often reflects expertise in reactor design, safety analysis, or project management, and may include bonuses and benefits.

Can you get an Associates in nuclear engineering?

An associate's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field can provide foundational knowledge for entry-level positions such as nuclear technician or assistant. However, most nuclear engineering roles typically require a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related discipline for full qualification and advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Associate Nuclear Engineer position, and why are they important?

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.

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What cities are hiring for Associate Nuclear Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Associate Nuclear Engineer job openings:
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Associate Nuclear Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Nuclear Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% 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.
Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Edgewater Technical Associates

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking qualified candidates for Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer opportunities at various locations across the United States Department of Energy (DOE) complex in support of traditional environmental clean-up missions and in support of the advancement of first-in-kind commercial fuel capabilities at select sites across the United States.
Work Location: Varies from on-site full-time; hybrid with 1-2 weeks on-site at a time with business travel for on-site trips; and Edgewater regional office locations (i.e., remote).
Clearance Requirement: Ability to obtain DOE L or Q level clearance.
Citizenship: United States Citizenship required.
Edgewater Technical Associates, LLC (Edgewater) is a New Mexico-based small business headquartered in Los Alamos, NM, with five (5) regional offices across the United States to locally support their growing presence at project sites. Edgewater has a proven track record and is a trusted provider of fixed-price construction projects, engineering, and technical services for the DOE, DOD, National Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, and private sector commercial contractors involved in nuclear, high-hazard, or complex operations. Edgewater's experience and guidance ensure that its customers perform hazardous operations, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain the highest quality and safety standards.
Candidate(s) will independently perform Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) analysis and design activities in support of DOE nuclear and commercial fuel cycle facilities, engineering programs, and projects. Utilizing basic and advanced engineering and NCS fundamentals, as assigned, perform criticality safety analyses to support new and existing design and licensing functions. Perform other engineering activities required to support facility design, configuration control, and operation. Candidate(s) will work in design safety basis organizations and depending on area of expertise will focus on criticality safety analyses, chemical dose consequence analyses, or shielding analyses.
Requirements:
  • Have a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or chemistry.
  • Have knowledge of nuclear science, physics of criticality, and chemistry.
  • Have knowledge of ANSI/ANS-8 series national standards.
  • Have familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose.
  • Have expertise in using MCNP and SCALE code systems (KENO, TSUNAMI, etc.) in performing sensitivity, uncertainty, and criticality safety calculations.
  • Have experience in performing criticality safety evaluations as a part of a nuclear facility safety basis.
  • Have knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear fuel cycle facility accident scenarios.
  • Have knowledge of nuclear criticality safety codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and industry practices for DOE nuclear facilities and nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
  • Have experience with Documented Safety Analyses (10 CFR Part 830) or Integrated Safety Analysis (10 CFR Part 70).

Responsibilities:
  • Develop, revise, and review Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) documentation such as Criticality Safety Evaluations (CSEs), Criticality Safety Determinations (CSDs), Technical Deviations (TDs), and other NCS technical basis documentation.
  • Perform chemical dose consequence calculations.
  • Demonstrate compliance with the double-contingency principle.
  • Define, evaluate, and maintain criticality safety controls, limits, parameters, and requirements for fissile material processes, equipment, and facility layouts.
  • Develop criticality accident alarm systems and inadvertent criticality emergency response plans.
  • Develop criticality code validation reports.
  • Support radiation shielding analysis to demonstrate adequate radiation mitigation.
  • Support preparation and defense of Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) and Technical Safety Requirement (TSR) content related to criticality safety.
  • Support preparation and defense of Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA) and Technical Specification (TS) content related to criticality safety.
  • Conduct surveillances, inspections, walkthroughs, appraisals, or audits of fissile material operations to ensure compliance with approvals.
  • Identify and evaluate NCS hazards for DOE nuclear facilities and commercial fuel cycle facilities.
  • Support hazard analyses, control decision meetings, risk assessments, safety reviews for nuclear facilities and activities.
  • Perform nuclear criticality safety evaluations to ensure safe handling, storage, processing, and transportation of fissile materials.
  • Administer the NCS program, methodologies, policies, and management measures.
  • Ensure compliance with DOE, NRC, and ANSI/ANS criticality safety-standards and regulations.
  • Support preparation and submittal of criticality safety-related licensing documentation.
  • Support interactions with regulators, including technical reviews, licensing reviews, and readiness reviews.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and records to support regulatory audits and reviews.
  • Respond to findings, identify and implement corrective actions, and ensure continued compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Work with engineering, operations, quality assurance, and regulatory teams to integrate criticality safety early in facility design and modification processes.
  • Ensure effective safety measures are incorporated throughout the design process and facility lifecycle.
  • Provide technical guidance and training to personnel on criticality safety principles and procedures.

Qualifications (Preferred):
  • Previously qualified as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer (e.g., ANSI/ANS-8.26).
  • Professional Engineering (PE) License obtained by accredited examination.
  • 3+ years of experience performing criticality safety evaluations for a DOE nuclear facility and/or an NRC licensed fuel cycle facility.
  • Have 8 or more years of related work experience: of which 2 years' experience in a nuclear facility.
  • Have experience with commercial nuclear fuel cycle processes, including HALEU fuel manufacturing.
  • Have 2-3 Years of experience in supporting CFR Part 70 licensing functions.
  • Have familiarity with NUREG-1513, NUREG-1520, NUREG/CR-6410, NUREG/CR-6698, and NRC RG 3.71
  • Have knowledge of other modeling tools (e.g., Serpent) and proficiency in Python to improve workflow.

Other Job Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship

If you are interested in being considered for this position and your resume clearly outlines your relevant experience for this position, please follow the application steps via our website: www.edgewatertech.net/careers
Edgewater will not submit your resume without first having detailed discussions with you and obtaining your permission to do so.
We look forward to hearing from you!
WORKING WITH EDGEWATER
Founded in 2003, Edgewater is a professional and technical services firm supporting the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S., U.K., and Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, Department of Defense, and private sector businesses involved in high-hazard or complex operations. Edgewater proudly offers expertise in numerous technical disciplines necessary to support operational environments where Integrated Safety Management and formal, disciplined operations are essential to ensure safety, quality, security, and regulatory compliance.
Edgewater is committed to recruiting and maintaining a staff of highly skilled professionals to support our customers. In keeping with this objective, we offer highly competitive salaries and employee benefit packages structured to best suit your needs. We offer multiple individual and family benefit options including paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, and a pre-tax 401 (k) retirement account with Company matching contributions and 100% vesting for eligible participants beginning DAY 1.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Edgewater is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veterans, or individuals with disabilities in accordance with EO 14173.
View all Edgewater opportunities at www.edgewatertech.net/careers

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