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Junior Nuclear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amentum

Nuclear Safety Engineer 4

Oak Ridge, TN · 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 ...

Pae

Nuclear Safety Engineer 4

Richland, WA · 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 Jul 15, 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.

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

Junior nuclear engineers typically earn salaries below $100,000 annually, with higher earnings possible for experienced professionals or those in senior roles. Reaching a $500,000 salary generally requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, management responsibilities, or working in specialized or high-paying sectors within the nuclear industry.

What is the lowest salary for a nuclear engineer?

The lowest salary for a junior nuclear engineer typically starts around $60,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on location, education, and employer. Entry-level positions may also include benefits such as training and certification opportunities, with salaries increasing with experience and additional skills in areas like reactor safety or radiation protection.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or nuclear engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and profit sharing. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and work in high-demand industries or leadership positions.

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. Nuclear engineers with significant experience and advanced certifications may also reach this level, particularly in high-demand or government-related sectors.

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:
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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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,799 per year, or $34.5 per hour.
Nuclear Safety Engineer 4

Nuclear Safety Engineer 4

Amentum

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Amentum is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented Nuclear Safety Engineer 4 to support projects in the Aiken, SC, Richland, WA, or Oak Ridge, TN office. The Engineer will provide technical support for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facilities and projects in safety-based development to ensure safe operations. The Engineer must have demonstrated experience in preparing documents to support the development of or changes to Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) and Technical Safety Requirement (TSR) documents, performing Hazard Analysis (HA) to support Safety Basis development, and supporting Operations in the implementation of Safety Basis changes.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Develop and maintain safety basis documents and safety basis program procedures.
  • With minimal supervision, perform hazard analyses of nuclear operations, define functional specifications, and recommend credited controls to mitigate unacceptable hazards.
  • Develop a portion or section of an analysis or nuclear safety review.
  • Assist in the generation of accident analysis and engineering data.
  • Assist in the preparation of reports and correspondence.
  • Identify and describe the interrelationship of safety basis requirements to existing and new designs and operations.
  • Develop, maintain, and produce technical documentation and system/subsystem specifications.
  • Interface with customers in nuclear safety reviews and technical working group meetings to comply with requirements.
  • Verify and comply with engineering documentation standards and nuclear safety procedures.
  • Mentor Junior Nuclear Safety Analysts in Safety Basis development and maintenance.
  • Ensure the product and service quality meets customer's requirements and expectations.
  • Perform all other position-related duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications:
  • BS/BA in engineering or equivalent technical discipline and 8+ years of relevant work experience
  • MS/MA in engineering or equivalent technical discipline and 5+ years of relevant work experience
  • US Citizenship Required

Other Requirements:
  • Good communication and analytical skills; knowledgeable about Microsoft Office applications.
  • Individuals must be capable of obtaining a DOE site security badge. The position may require the ability to pass and maintain a Security Clearance. Due to the nature of the work, the candidate must be a US Citizen; dual Citizenship is not permitted.

Preferred Experience:
  • Demonstrating familiarity with DOE Nuclear Safety Analysis requirements, including DOE-STD-3009.
  • Supporting completion of nuclear facility documented safety analyses (DSAs) and technical safety requirements (TSRs) updates, revisions, or creation.
  • Working with support organizations to ensure DSA and TSR projects are completed and submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE) for approval on schedule.Leading all aspects of reviews and ensuring the preparation of DSAs and TSRs accurately reflect the facility configuration and establish the necessary controls.
  • Reviewing procedures, operational events, and facility modifications to support DSA and TSR implementation.
  • Establishing objectives, setting priorities, and advising management of nuclear safety issues.
  • Developing and maintaining effective collaboration with facility system engineers, facility operations, supporting organization, subcontractor personnel, and DOE oversight personnel.
  • Providing support and input, including requirements management, to identify and implement improvements to current procedures and processes, performing programmatic assessments, and conducting training associated with nuclear safety requirements.
  • Frequently working with other organizations, tracking, and reporting status, and ensuring projects meet schedule commitments.
  • Conducting facility hazard identification, assessment, and accident analyses and classification. Ensuring that all hazards are identified and adequately addressed, and that identification, assessment and analyses are adequately documented.

Compensation Details:
$115,000+
The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Benefits Overview:
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
  • Educational reimbursement
  • Parental leave
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Tax-saving options
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.
Original Posting:
05/06/2026 - Until Filled
Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.
Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.

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