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Nuclear Engineering Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Intern Undergrad - Engineering

Davis, CA

$18 - $23.50/hr

Job Summary Work as part of a team to provide engineering support to ensure reliability ... Nuclear Operations Company Locations Davis-Besse Ohio We are a company of people committed to:

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Nuclear Engineering Intern information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$29

How much do nuclear engineering intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear engineering intern in California is $19.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $20.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Nuclear Engineering Intern do?

A Nuclear Engineering Intern supports experienced engineers in projects related to nuclear energy, radiation safety, and reactor operation. Typical duties include assisting with research, data analysis, equipment testing, and preparing technical reports. Interns may also help monitor systems for safety and efficiency, participate in simulations, and learn about regulatory compliance. The role provides hands-on experience and exposure to the daily operations and challenges within the nuclear engineering field.

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

To thrive as a Nuclear Engineering Intern, you typically need a solid grounding in nuclear engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, supported by progress toward a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with simulation software (such as MATLAB or MCNP), CAD programs, and an understanding of industry regulations are often expected. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication skills help interns collaborate and solve complex technical problems. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safety, contributing to innovative solutions, and supporting the demanding standards of the nuclear industry.

What types of projects and tasks can a Nuclear Engineering Intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Nuclear Engineering Intern, you can expect to support ongoing projects related to reactor design, safety analysis, or radiation protection. Typical tasks include assisting with simulations, data analysis, technical report writing, and participating in team meetings. Interns often collaborate closely with experienced engineers and researchers, gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard software and laboratory equipment. This role provides exposure to real-world engineering challenges and offers opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects that impact energy generation and safety.

What is the difference between Nuclear Engineering Intern vs Nuclear Engineer?

AspectNuclear Engineering InternNuclear Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing a bachelor's or master's in nuclear engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree in nuclear engineering; often requires licensure or professional certification
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, research labs, nuclear power plants, or engineering firmsFull-time professional roles in nuclear power plants, research facilities, or government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by educational institutions, internship programs, and entry-level positionsUsed by nuclear power companies, government agencies, and engineering firms
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level experience and career developmentCompared for career progression and professional responsibilities

The main difference between a Nuclear Engineering Intern and a Nuclear Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and career stage. Interns are typically students gaining practical experience, while Nuclear Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for designing, analyzing, and overseeing nuclear systems.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Nuclear Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Nuclear Engineering Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Nuclear Engineering Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineering Intern job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,648 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
NUCLEAR ENGINEER

$121K/yr

Other

Posted 8 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

43rd of 50 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Nuclear Test Engineering Division, Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) San Diego Detachment.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional engineer analyzing and modifying procedures, assessing standards or contracts for nuclear testing or maintenance of naval nuclear reactor plants, or naval propulsion plants, to identify, and correct operational deficiencies for quality assurance.
This position requires a Selective Placement Factor. You must be a qualified Shift Test Engineer.
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.
Employment Type: OTHER

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