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Associate Nuclear Engineering Technology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

$85 - $120/hr

We are seeking an Associate Nuclear Engineer to join the Incident Modeling and Computational ... A PhD in nuclear engineering, nuclear science, or a related technical field; or an MS in one of ...

Thea Energy

Director - Nuclear Engineering

Kearny, NJ · On-site

$160K - $230K/yr

Lead and grow a world-class team of nuclear engineers working on the cutting edge of commercial fusion power technology. * Direct the nuclear design of fusion systems, including blanket, shield ...

Ring Inc

Director of Nuclear Engineering

Denver, CO · On-site

$190 - $220/hr

Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a ... As the Director of Nuclear Engineering , you will lead and grow Xcimer's Nuclear Engineering ...

Thea Energy

Director - Nuclear Engineering

Kearny, NJ

$160K - $230K/yr

Lead and grow a world-class team of nuclear engineers working on the cutting edge of commercial fusion power technology. * Direct the nuclear design of fusion systems, including blanket, shield ...

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How much do associate nuclear engineering technology jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate nuclear engineering technology 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 the difference between Associate Nuclear Engineering Technology vs Nuclear Engineering Technician?

AspectAssociate Nuclear Engineering TechnologyNuclear Engineering Technician
CredentialsAssociate degree in nuclear technology or engineering technologyAssociate degree or technical certification in nuclear technology
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, power plants, research facilitiesPower plants, research labs, maintenance sites
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, government agencies, private companiesPower plants, nuclear facilities, research institutions

Both roles involve supporting nuclear engineering projects, operating equipment, and ensuring safety protocols. The main difference lies in job titles used by employers and slight variations in certification requirements. Overall, they share similar work environments and industry applications, making them closely related career paths.

Can you get an associate in nuclear engineering?

An associate degree in nuclear engineering technology is a two-year program that prepares students for technical roles in nuclear power plants, research facilities, and related industries. It typically includes coursework in nuclear physics, safety procedures, and instrumentation, and may lead to certification or entry-level positions in the field.

What jobs can you get with an associate nuclear engineering technology degree?

An associate nuclear engineering technology degree prepares graduates for roles such as nuclear technician, reactor operator, or radiation safety technician. These positions typically involve monitoring nuclear systems, conducting tests, and ensuring safety protocols in nuclear power plants or research facilities, often requiring knowledge of radiation safety, instrumentation, and regulatory compliance.
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Associate Nuclear Engineering Technology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Nuclear Engineering Technology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,636 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Associate Nuclear Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 5 - 10K employees

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about Oak Ridge National Laboratoryexternal

$85K - $102K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

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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