ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Graduate Nuclear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Navy

$90K - $107K/yr

As a Nuclear Reactors Engineer, you'll be responsible for researching, designing, maintaining ... Graduate or a current student pursuing a B.A., B.S., or M.S. (preferably major in mathematics ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsGraduate Nuclear Engineer Jobs

Graduate Nuclear Engineer information

See salary details

$26K

$105.6K

$150K

How much do graduate nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate nuclear engineer in the United States is $105,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,500.00 and $118,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate nuclear engineer?

A Graduate Nuclear Engineer is an entry-level role for recent engineering graduates specializing in nuclear science, reactor design, radiation safety, or related fields. They assist senior engineers in designing, analyzing, and maintaining nuclear systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and safety standards. Responsibilities may include conducting research, simulations, and performance assessments for nuclear facilities or power plants. This role provides hands-on experience and professional development opportunities in the nuclear industry, often leading to more specialized positions.

What types of projects or tasks can a graduate nuclear engineer expect to work on in their first year?

As a Graduate Nuclear Engineer, you may start your career by assisting senior engineers with reactor design calculations, safety analysis reports, or performance monitoring of nuclear systems. You could be involved in supporting maintenance planning, analyzing radiation shielding, preparing technical documentation, or participating in plant upgrades. Many entry-level engineers also work closely with mentors and cross-functional teams—including mechanical, electrical, and safety engineers—to gain hands-on industry experience. Expect a mix of desk-based analysis and potential site visits to gain practical understanding. This variety helps you build core technical competencies while learning to navigate regulatory and operational requirements unique to the nuclear sector.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate nuclear engineer, and why are they important?

A Graduate Nuclear Engineer should possess a solid understanding of nuclear engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and physics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation software (e.g., MCNP, MATLAB), CAD tools, and adherence to safety regulations or potential certifications like Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) is important. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help candidates stand out. These skills are vital for ensuring safe, efficient plant operations and contributing meaningfully to multidisciplinary engineering projects.

More about Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Graduate Nuclear Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs?

For Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Graduate Nuclear Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Nuclear Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,594 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) - AL, GA

Mobile, AL

U.S. Navy
National Security • 10K+ employees
Learn more about U.S. Navyexternal

$98K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 381 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The most powerful energy sources in the world need the most powerful minds behind them. As a Nuclear Reactors Engineer, you’ll be responsible for researching, designing, maintaining, operating and regulating the nuclear reactors and power plants that drive the most advanced fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers on Earth. Here, you can fuel a passion for problem-solving by defining and redefining the cutting-edge of nuclear propulsion while setting the standard in nuclear reactor research and regulation. Naval Reactors Engineers have oversight of the Navy's entire fleet of nuclear-powered ships as well as shore-based prototypes and nuclear propulsion support facilities for America’s Navy.

The wide array of technical areas involved in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program include:

  • Reactor and fluid systems design
  • Reactor physics
  • Materials development
  • Component design such as steam generators, pumps and valves
  • Instrumentation and control of reactor, steam and electric plants
  • Testing and quality control
  • Shielding
  • Chemistry and radiological controls

As a Navy Reactors Engineer stationed at Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, D.C., you will provide technical oversight while managing projects ranging from reactor design to fleet operations to de-fueling and decommissioning warships.

Preliminary training and eventual staff assignments center around Naval Reactors Headquarters at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. At Headquarters, you will be a part of an elite, streamlined staff of roughly 500 people who oversee the entire Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program from cradle to grave.​

Even junior-level Naval Reactors Engineers assume responsibility for key technical work in a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, including:

  • Two Department of Energy laboratories
  • Two nuclear prototype/training sites
  • Nearly 100 nuclear-powered ships and submarines
  • Six shipyards
  • More than 1,000 firms that support the Naval Reactors Program
  • U.S. citizen between the ages of 19 and 29. Exceptions may be possible up to age 40.
  • Graduate or a current student pursuing a B.A., B.S., or M.S. (preferably major in mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, or other technical areas).
  • Those still in school may apply as early as 18 months from completion of an undergraduate degree for Naval Reactors Engineers.
  • Applicants may also join the NUPOC program as early as 12 months from completion of a master's degree.
  • Completed one academic year of calculus (minimum calculus I/II).
  • Completed one academic year of calculus-based physics (minimum physics I/II).
  • A competitive GPA of 3.0 or higher and a minimum grade of "B" in all technical courses.

What United States Navy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

US Navy logo

About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All US Navy Jobs

Apply