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Nuclear Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Nuclear Test Engineering Division, Nuclear Engineering ... Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) ...

Nuclear Engineer I/II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

About the Role As a member of the nuclear engineering team, you will become the responsible engineer for a key component of the Antares reactor design such as reactivity controls and instrumentation ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

About the Role As a member of the nuclear engineering team, you will become the responsible engineer for a key component of the Antares reactor design such as reactivity controls and instrumentation ...

Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience * Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in nuclear quality assurance or ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$133K - $184K/yr

Radiant's unique, practical approach to nuclear development leverages modern software engineering to rapidly deliver safe, factory-built microreactors that use existing, well-qualified materials.

Senior Nuclear Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$133K - $184K/yr

Radiant's unique, practical approach to nuclear development leverages modern software engineering to rapidly deliver safe, factory-built microreactors that use existing, well-qualified materials.

Nuclear Engineer

Rocklin, CA

$102K - $122K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely ...

Nuclear Engineer

Lafayette, CA

$113K - $136K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely ...

Nuclear Engineer

Lake Nacimiento, CA

$105K - $125K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely ...

Nuclear Engineer

Shandon, CA

$101K - $121K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely ...

Showing results 21-40

Nuclear Engineering information

See California salary details

$25.7K

$104.2K

$148K

How much do nuclear engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear engineering in California is $104,212.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,200.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can a nuclear engineer get?

A nuclear engineer can work in power plant design and operation, nuclear safety analysis, radiation protection, and research and development. They often work in environments such as nuclear facilities, laboratories, or government agencies, and may require knowledge of nuclear physics, engineering principles, and safety protocols.

What are the common career advancement opportunities for nuclear engineers?

Nuclear engineers typically start their careers in entry-level engineering roles focused on system analysis, reactor operation, or project design. With experience, they may advance to supervisory positions, project management, or specialized roles such as reactor licensing and safety analysis. Many nuclear engineers also pursue advanced certifications or graduate degrees to move into research, policy, or senior technical leadership positions. Career progression often depends on technical expertise, leadership abilities, and staying current with industry regulations and advancements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in nuclear engineering?

Nuclear engineers typically require a degree in nuclear engineering or a related field, with strong knowledge of physics, mathematics, and safety protocols. Proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software, reactor simulation tools, and familiarity with NRC regulations or a Professional Engineering (PE) license are often needed. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help individuals excel in multidisciplinary project environments. These abilities are crucial to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation and development of nuclear systems.

What is nuclear engineering?

A Nuclear Engineering job involves the research, design, development, and maintenance of nuclear systems, including reactors, power plants, and radiation applications. Nuclear engineers ensure the safe and efficient use of nuclear energy and radiation in power generation, medical treatments, and industrial applications. They work on reactor safety, radiation shielding, nuclear fuel management, and compliance with regulatory standards. Many nuclear engineers are employed in energy production, while others contribute to medicine, space exploration, and national defense.

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 jobs? Cities in California with the most Nuclear Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $104,212 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

$121K/yr

Other

Posted 19 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

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42nd of 49 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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10,000+ Employees

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