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Nuclear Engineering Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

Materials Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Joining NANO Nuclear means contributing to pioneering technologies with the potential to redefine the nuclear industry while working alongside experts in engineering, science, and innovation. Our ...

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc

Senior Graphite Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$105K - $144K/yr

Joining NANO Nuclear means contributing to pioneering technologies with the potential to redefine the nuclear industry while working alongside experts in engineering, science, and innovation. Our ...

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All JobsNuclear Engineering JobsNuclear Engineering Jobs in Illinois

Nuclear Engineering information

See Illinois salary details

$25.2K

$102.3K

$145.4K

How much do nuclear engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear engineering in Illinois is $102,324.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,400.00 and $114,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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, government agencies, or private industry, utilizing skills in reactor physics, thermodynamics, and regulatory compliance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Engineering jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Nuclear Engineering jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Nuclear Engineering jobs in Illinois?

For Nuclear Engineering jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Nuclear Engineering jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Nuclear Engineering jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Nuclear Engineering jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Nuclear Engineering job openings:

Nuclear Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineering job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $102,324 per year, or $49.2 per hour.

Nuclear Engineer - Reactor Physics

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc

Oak Brook, IL

$99K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 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