1

Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

$88K/yr

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Test Examiner Division of PEARL HARBOR NSY AND IMF.Qualifications:GS-12 Grade level Your resume must demonstrate at ...

$88K/yr

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Test Examiner Division of PEARL HARBOR NSY AND IMF.Qualifications:GS-12 Grade level Your resume must demonstrate at ...

$111K/yr

You will serve as a Branch Head in the Nuclear Quality and Engineering Assessment Branch, Nuclear Performance Assessment and Radiological Engineering Division (Code 2350) of PEARL HARBOR NSY AND IMF.

New

$111K/yr

You will serve as a Branch Head in the Nuclear Quality and Engineering Assessment Branch, Nuclear Performance Assessment and Radiological Engineering Division (Code 2350) of PEARL HARBOR NSY AND IMF.

New

As the ORBIS AUKUS Assistant Chief Engineer (ACHENG), you will be the ORBIS lead in assisting our client to develop non-nuclear engineering capabilities to support the successful transition to SSN ...

As the ORBIS AUKUS Assistant Chief Engineer (ACHENG), you will be the ORBIS lead in assisting our client to develop non-nuclear engineering capabilities to support the successful transition to SSN ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Nuclear Engineer information

See Hawaii salary details

$27K

$109.7K

$155.8K

How much do nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear engineer in Hawaii is $109,708.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,300.00 and $122,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can nuclear engineers do?

Nuclear engineers design, develop, and oversee nuclear systems used for energy production, medical applications, and research. They work in power plants, research facilities, government agencies, and private industry, often requiring knowledge of radiation safety, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics. Certification and security clearances may be necessary for certain positions.

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

To thrive as a Nuclear Engineer, you need a strong background in nuclear physics, engineering principles, mathematics, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation software, radiation detection tools, and adherence to regulatory certifications such as Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in complex, safety-critical environments. These competencies are essential to ensure safe nuclear operations, regulatory compliance, and innovative solutions in energy or medical applications.

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

Nuclear engineers typically earn a median annual salary around $120,000, with top earners in senior positions or with extensive experience reaching salaries close to $200,000. Earning $500,000 annually is uncommon and would generally require advanced roles, management positions, or specialized expertise in high-demand areas within the nuclear industry.

What is the difference between Nuclear Engineer vs Nuclear Technician?

AspectNuclear EngineerNuclear Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or related field; often advanced degrees for specializationAssociate's degree or technical certification in nuclear technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and oversee nuclear systems; work in offices, labs, or plant control roomsAssist in operation and maintenance of nuclear equipment; work directly in nuclear plants or labs
Industry UsageDesigning reactors, safety systems, and research projectsMonitoring plant operations, conducting tests, and supporting technical tasks

While both roles are vital in the nuclear industry, Nuclear Engineers focus on designing and developing nuclear systems, requiring higher education and analytical skills. Nuclear Technicians support these systems through hands-on operational tasks, often with technical certifications. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Can nuclear engineers make 200k?

Nuclear engineers can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles in the industry. Salaries vary based on location, employer, and specialization, with senior positions and those working in high-demand areas typically earning higher wages.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced nuclear engineers working in senior roles, such as nuclear plant managers or specialized consultants, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit sharing. These roles typically require advanced certifications, extensive experience, and expertise in nuclear safety, operations, or research.

What are some common challenges faced by nuclear engineers in ensuring safety and regulatory compliance?

Nuclear engineers often encounter the challenge of navigating complex safety protocols and strict regulatory requirements to ensure the safe operation of nuclear facilities. This involves staying current with evolving regulations, conducting thorough risk assessments, and collaborating closely with safety inspectors and governmental agencies. Effective communication and attention to detail are crucial, as even minor oversights can have significant consequences. Proactively addressing these challenges is an integral part of the role and helps maintain both public safety and operational efficiency.

What are nuclear engineers?

Nuclear engineers are professionals who research, design, operate, and maintain systems and processes that involve nuclear energy and radiation. They often work on developing nuclear power plants, medical diagnostic equipment, or radiation safety protocols. Their responsibilities include ensuring the safe use of nuclear materials, troubleshooting problems, and improving efficiency and safety measures in nuclear technology. Nuclear engineers play a critical role in both energy production and medical applications. They typically work for government agencies, research institutions, or private energy companies.

What Is a Nuclear Engineer?

As a nuclear engineer, you work in a nuclear power facility or research facility to design instruments and processes that make it easier to draw energy from nuclear material. You may also come up with new reactor designs that use different types of materials. A nuclear engineer does not always work on equipment for power plants; sometimes you work to create technology like new medical measuring devices. A nuclear engineer can also work on propulsion systems like those in nuclear-powered military vessels.

What are popular job titles related to Nuclear Engineer jobs in Hawaii? For Nuclear Engineer jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Nuclear Engineer jobs in Hawaii look for? The top searched job categories for Nuclear Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:
What cities in Hawaii are hiring for Nuclear Engineer jobs? Cities in Hawaii with the most Nuclear Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineer job openings in Hawaii as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 13% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $109,708 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

$88K/yr

Other

Posted 26 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Test Examiner Division of PEARL HARBOR NSY AND IMF.Qualifications:GS-12 Grade level
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional engineer. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: developing, designing, or testing components for ship or submarine nuclear propulsion systems.
GS-11 Grade level
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional engineer. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: assisting with developing, designing, or testing components for ship or submarine nuclear propulsion systems.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
Education may be substituted for the GS-11 as follows:
Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
OR
Successful completion of three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above that equates to one year of experience.Employment Type: OTHER

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