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Junior Nuclear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Nuclear Safety Engineer 4

Aiken, SC · On-site

The Engineer will provide technical support for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facilities and ... Mentor Junior Nuclear Safety Analysts in Safety Basis development and maintenance. Ensure the ...

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Junior Nuclear Engineer information

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$33.5K

$71.8K

$109.5K

How much do junior nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior nuclear engineer in the United States is $71,799.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior Nuclear Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Nuclear Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related discipline. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation software, radiation safety protocols, and relevant certifications like Engineer-in-Training (EIT) is valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and successful collaboration in the highly technical and regulated nuclear industry.

What kinds of projects and tasks can a Junior Nuclear Engineer expect to work on during their first year?

As a Junior Nuclear Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of projects such as assisting with reactor design modifications, supporting safety analysis, and participating in routine inspections or maintenance planning. You'll work closely with senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams to learn industry protocols, regulatory requirements, and best practices. Your daily responsibilities may include data collection, drafting technical reports, running simulations, and contributing to troubleshooting sessions. This hands-on exposure provides a strong foundation for career advancement and deeper expertise in the nuclear field.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. These positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and working in high-demand industries or high-cost-of-living areas.

What does a Junior Nuclear Engineer do?

A Junior Nuclear Engineer assists senior engineers in designing, operating, and maintaining nuclear systems such as reactors, power plants, or medical equipment. Their responsibilities often include conducting research, performing safety analyses, preparing technical reports, and helping ensure compliance with regulations. They may also participate in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues, as well as supporting upgrades and efficiency improvements. Junior Nuclear Engineers typically work under supervision while gaining experience and developing their expertise in the field.

What is the difference between Junior Nuclear Engineer vs Nuclear Technician?

AspectJunior Nuclear EngineerNuclear Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or related field; some roles may require licensing or certificationsAssociate degree or technical certification in nuclear technology or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, analysis, and development tasks in research facilities, power plants, or laboratoriesOperational tasks, equipment maintenance, and safety procedures in nuclear power plants or labs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by engineering firms, power plants, and research institutionsCommonly employed in nuclear power plants, maintenance facilities, and testing sites

Junior Nuclear Engineers focus on designing and analyzing nuclear systems, requiring a bachelor's degree and some certifications. Nuclear Technicians handle operational and maintenance tasks, often with technical diplomas. While both work in nuclear environments, their roles differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

More about Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Junior Nuclear Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Nuclear Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs are:
Junior Nuclear Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Nuclear Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,799 per year, or $34.5 per hour.

Nuclear Engineer - ConOps / Readiness SME

Global Engineering & Technology, Inc. (GET)

Santa Fe, NM • On-site

$137K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

THIS POSITION IS AT SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, AND IS 100% ON-SITE.

  • Please note that this is considered a "local hire" position that does not provide relocation support.

Global Engineering & Technology (GET) is seeking a highly qualified engineer with National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) experience for the position of ConOps/Readiness Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Environmental Safety & Health (ES&H) Planning Department.

This is a highly compensated, long-term, on-site position at the SNL facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a full-time GET employee with benefits.

Work is performed onsite at the following locations:

  • The primary work location is 2301 Buena Vista SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
  • Work will also require local travel to the SNL facility on Kirtland AFB (also located in Albuquerque)
  • Travel to the SNL facility in Livermore, California, or other remote sites may be required on occasion

Compensation Range: $137,500 - $160,000/Year (depending on experience and qualifications)

Requirements

Citizenship and Security Clearance Requirements

  • Applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America
  • Applicant must hold a current DOD Top Secret or DOE Q security clearance

Educational and Experience Requirements

THIS IS NOT A JUNIOR POSITION - Applicant must meet one of the following combinations of academics and experience:

  • PhD degree in science or engineering discipline and a minimum of two (2) years ES&H-related experience
  • MS degree in science or engineering discipline and a minimum of four (4) years ES&H-related experience
  • BS degree in science and engineering and a minimum of six (6) years ES&H-related experience
  • Or 10+ years of ES&H-related experience

Required Qualifications

  • DOE O 422.1 CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS - Thorough knowledge of the requirements for establishing and implementing Conduct of Operations Programs at the Department of Energy (DOE), including National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) facilities and projects.
  • DOE O 425.1 VERIFICATION OF READINESS TO START UP OR RESTART NUCLEAR FACILITIES - Thorough knowledge of the requirements for verifying readiness for startup of new hazard category 1, 2, and 3 nuclear facilities, activities, and operations, and for the restart of existing hazard category 1, 2, and 3 nuclear facilities, activities, and operations that have been shut down.

Desired Qualifications

Although training is available at SNL for the subjects found below, knowledge and experience relating to any of the following is highly sought after:

  • DOE O 420.1 FACILITY SAFETY
  • Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process for nuclear facilities
  • Independent Verification Review (IVR) of new or revised Safety Basis
  • ConOps Training (e.g., FOO-200)
  • QA assistance (e.g., Management Self-Assessment (MSA) and/or Lead Assessor)

Benefits

We provide exceptional benefits to our full-time employees (spouse/family coverage option available at a company-subsidized rate).

Benefits include:

  • Medical plan options with UnitedHealthcare
  • Dental Insurance
  • Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • Generous 401(k) match

All benefits are effective on day one of employment.

Global Engineering & Technology, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.