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Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Wheaton, IL (NOW HIRING)

NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

Materials Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

About NANO Nuclear Energy NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing ... Position Overview NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking a Materials Engineer to support materials ...

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc

Senior Graphite Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$105K - $144K/yr

About NANO Nuclear Energy NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing ... Position Overview NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking a Graphite Engineer to support the development ...

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All JobsNuclear Engineer JobsNuclear Engineer Jobs in Wheaton, IL

Nuclear Engineer information

See Wheaton, IL salary details

$25.1K

$102.1K

$145K

How much do nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear engineer in Wheaton, IL is $102,058.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,200.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

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.
More about Nuclear Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Engineer jobs in Wheaton, IL?

The most popular types of Nuclear Engineer jobs in Wheaton, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Nuclear Engineer jobs in Wheaton, IL?

For Nuclear Engineer jobs in Wheaton, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Wheaton, IL are hiring for Nuclear Engineer jobs?

Cities near Wheaton, IL with the most Nuclear Engineer job openings:

Nuclear Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineer job openings in Wheaton, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,058 per year, or $49.1 per hour.

Nuclear Engineer - Reactor Physics

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc

Oak Brook, IL

$99K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

About NANO Nuclear Energy

NANO Nuclear Energy is anadvanced nuclear technology company developing next-generation microreactorsystems that will help transform the future of clean, reliable, and resilientenergy. Through the development of its KRONOS MMR EnergySystem, LOKI MMR Energy System, and ZEUS Solid Core BatteryReactor-advancedhigh-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technologies designed forapplications including data centers, industrial operations, remote communities,and critical infrastructure-the company is advancing innovative nuclearsolutions for a rapidly evolving energy landscape. NANO Nuclear has alsosubmitted a Construction Permit Application (CPA) to the U.S. NuclearRegulatory Commission (NRC) to support the planned deployment of the KRONOS MMRat the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), representing a significantmilestone toward the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology. 

Joining NANO Nuclear meanscontributing to pioneering technologies with the potential to redefine thenuclear industry while working alongside experts in engineering, science, andinnovation. Our team operates in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environmentwhere employees are encouraged to solve challenging technical problems andadvance the materials technologies needed for next-generation energy systems. 

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Nuclear Engineer, Reactor Physics who will be responsible for performing reactor physics analyses of the nuclear reactor power systems in development at Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc. The Nuclear Engineer will support core design enhancement, integrate customer and regulatory requirements into the reactor core design, and perform analysis and prepare documentation to support licensing of the reactor systems.

Responsibilities:

  • Perform neutron and gamma radiation transport calculations to determine activation/dose rates, heating, and material damage effects, and establish radiation shielding requirements.
  • Design radiation shielding throughout the reactor system.
  • Perform criticality safety calculations.
  • Develop, verify, and validate computational tools for reactor multiphysics analysis.
  • Collaborate with engineering, operations & maintenance, safety analysis, and licensing teams.
  • Assist in training and mentoring junior team members.
  • Ensure compliance with nuclear regulations, licensing requirements, and company safety policies.
  • Contribute to the preparation of documents to enable licensing of Nano Nuclear Energy reactor systems.
  • Responsibilities may extend to other divisions of the business at times.
  • Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field.
  • 7+ years (or M.Sc. and 5+ years) of relevant experience.
  • Strong Monte Carlo skills and strong understanding of reactor physics. Experience in reactor design, radiation shielding, and criticality safety desirable.
  • Strong programming skills in any language; Python is commonly used in this position.
  • Excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills.
  • Nuclear software verification and validation experience is a plus.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field.
  • 7+ years (or M.Sc. and 5+ years) of relevant experience.
  • Strong Monte Carlo skills and strong understanding of reactor physics. Experience in reactor design, radiation shielding, and criticality safety desirable.
  • Strong programming skills in any language; Python is commonly used in this position.
  • Excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills.
  • Nuclear software verification and validation experience is a plus.

Apply