ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

All JobsNuclear Engineer JobsEntry Level Nuclear Engineer JobsEntry Level Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Entry Level Nuclear Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$29.7K

$120.6K

$171.4K

How much do entry level nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level nuclear engineer in Seattle, WA is $120,640.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,500.00 and $134,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Nuclear Engineer vs Nuclear Technician?

AspectEntry Level Nuclear EngineerNuclear Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or related fieldAssociate's degree or technical certification in nuclear technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, analysis, and safety assessments in labs or officesOperate and monitor nuclear equipment in power plants or facilities
Employer & Industry UsagePower plants, research facilities, government agenciesNuclear power plants, medical facilities, research labs

Entry Level Nuclear Engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree and focus on designing and analyzing nuclear systems, while Nuclear Technicians usually have technical certifications and handle operational tasks. Both roles are essential in the nuclear industry but differ in responsibilities and educational requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Nuclear Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Nuclear Engineer, you need a strong background in nuclear engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, typically demonstrated by a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as MATLAB, AutoCAD, and simulation tools, as well as understanding of regulatory standards like NRC guidelines, is often expected. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this position. These competencies ensure accurate technical work, compliance with safety regulations, and successful collaboration on complex engineering projects.

What does an entry level nuclear engineer do?

An entry level nuclear engineer assists in the design, development, and maintenance of nuclear equipment and systems. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers to ensure the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants, reactors, or medical devices. Their tasks may include conducting research, performing safety analyses, preparing technical reports, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Entry level nuclear engineers also participate in training and learn about the industry's safety protocols and best practices.

What are common challenges faced by entry level nuclear engineers in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level nuclear engineers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex regulatory requirements, adapting to rigorous safety protocols, and quickly learning specialized software and technical systems unique to nuclear facilities. They may also need to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical, on-site applications. New engineers can overcome these challenges by actively seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues, participating in ongoing training programs, and regularly engaging with interdisciplinary teams to broaden their understanding of operational procedures and safety standards.

What Does an Entry-Level Nuclear Engineer Do?

An entry-level nuclear engineer works with nuclear energy and radiation. As a nuclear engineer, you devise systems and create tools for using nuclear power. You oversee responsibilities like developing equipment, writing operating guides for equipment and processes, ensuring safety during facility operations, and taking action to prevent and mitigate nuclear emergencies. You may work in a nuclear power plant or in a laboratory focusing on using radioactive materials for societal benefit, like in the medical or aerospace industries. Your responsibilities are to test nuclear processes for solvency, maintain safety standards, and eventually handle supervisory and managerial duties depending on the size and scope of your team.

More about Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? The most popular types of Nuclear Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? For Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Entry Level Nuclear Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Nuclear Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,167 per year, or $57.8 per hour.
Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Engineer (Entry Level)

Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Engineer (Entry Level)

System One

Bellevue, WA • Remote

$37 - $74/hr

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Engineer – Entry Level (Contract)

Location: Remote Pay Rate: $37-$74/hour Position Type: Long-Term Contract

Position Overview

System One is seeking an Entry Level Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Engineer to support the development of next-generation advanced nuclear reactor technology. This role offers an excellent opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary engineering team performing probabilistic risk assessments, severe accident analysis, and safety evaluations that support reactor design, licensing, and regulatory compliance.

The selected candidate will contribute to the development and maintenance of PRA models, perform risk analyses, support hazard evaluations, and collaborate with engineering teams to ensure safe, reliable, and innovative reactor designs.

Responsibilities

  • Support internal and external Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) activities.
  • Develop and maintain event trees, fault trees, and PRA models using CAFTA.
  • Perform risk integration studies, importance measures, and risk metrics.
  • Support severe accident and consequence analyses.
  • Participate in hazard analyses, PIRT evaluations, SSC classifications, Licensing Basis Events (LBE), and Defense-in-Depth (DID) evaluations.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to establish system reliability, safety, and performance requirements.
  • Prepare engineering calculations, technical documentation, and analytical reports.
  • Participate in design reviews and engineering evaluations.
  • Present technical findings to project teams, management, and regulatory organizations.
  • Support continuous improvement of PRA methodologies, computational models, and engineering processes.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
  • One or more years of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) experience.
  • Understanding of PRA principles and familiarity with ASME/ANS PRA standards.
  • Knowledge of risk-informed, performance-based regulatory approaches.
  • Experience with PRA software such as CAFTA, FRANX, SAPHIRE, RiskSpectrum, or similar tools.
  • Strong technical writing, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with GOTHIC, MELCOR, RADTRAD, or similar analytical software.
  • Experience with sodium-cooled or advanced reactor technologies.
  • Knowledge of severe accident analysis, human reliability analysis, source term evaluations, and accident progression.
  • Familiarity with nuclear licensing and regulatory requirements.

This is an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the development of advanced nuclear technologies while working remotely on innovative, first-of-a-kind engineering projects.

Ref: #161-Managed Staffing Charlotte