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Nuclear Engineering Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Principal Nuclear Engineer SME

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced nuclear engineering expertise to some of the nation's most challenging counterproliferation and nuclear survivability problems. The successful ...

Leidos

Principal Nuclear Engineer SME

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced nuclear engineering expertise to some of the nation's most challenging counterproliferation and nuclear survivability problems. The successful ...

SimIS Inc.

-- Nuclear Weapon Effects SME (T)

Arlington, VA · On-site

$113K - $135K/yr

MINIMUM SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:  DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI)  Masters of Science degree in physics, nuclear engineering, or related discipline from an accredited ...

SimIS Inc.

-- Nuclear Weapon Effects SME (T)

Arlington, VA · On-site

$113K - $135K/yr

MINIMUM SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS: • DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI) • Masters of Science degree in physics, nuclear engineering, or related discipline from an accredited ...

Ocean Atomics LLC

Nuclear Fuels Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$110K - $240K/yr

Bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering required (advanced degree preferred). * Experience in nuclear fuel design, performance analysis, or fuel qualification. * Proficiency with fuel performance ...

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All JobsNuclear Engineering JobsNuclear Engineering Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Nuclear Engineering information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$26.9K

$109.2K

$155.1K

How much do nuclear engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear engineering in Silver Spring, MD is $109,161.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,800.00 and $122,000.00 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 job categories do people searching Nuclear Engineering jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Nuclear Engineering jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Nuclear Engineering jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Nuclear Engineering job openings:
Nuclear Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineering job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,161 per year, or $52.5 per hour.

Principal Nuclear Engineer SME

Leidos

Reston, VA • On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

77th of 485 rated business services

Job description

Leidos' Analysis Solutions business area is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Nuclear Engineer Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support critical national security missions in Reston, Virginia. This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced nuclear engineering expertise to some of the nation's most challenging counterproliferation and nuclear survivability problems.
The successful candidate will lead technical assessments of foreign nuclear weapons infrastructure, reverse engineer protective hardening measures, and identify vulnerabilities across facilities, processes, and supply chains. This unique position combines computational physics, engineering analysis, and all-source intelligence methodologies to deliver actionable insights that strengthen national security.
As part of a multidisciplinary government-contractor team, you will conduct in-depth analysis of above-ground and underground facilities, associated equipment, and operational processes to develop innovative, mission-focused solutions. Work is performed in a fast-paced, high-impact environment within a secure government facility.
Primary Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Subject Matter Expertise
  • Serve as the organization's recognized expert in nuclear engineering, nuclear effects, and counterproliferation analysis.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and strategic guidance across complex national security initiatives.
Counterproliferation & Defense Analytics
  • Conduct high-fidelity technical reverse-engineering assessments of domestic and foreign facilities, stockpiles, supply chains, and production processes.
  • Evaluate vulnerabilities and develop analytical insights that support defense and intelligence community partners.
Nuclear Hardness & Survivability
  • Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and operational workflows.
  • Develop protective design criteria using physics-based modeling of radiation environments, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and other nuclear effects.
Threat Modeling & Simulation
  • Employ advanced multi-physics modeling and simulation tools to assess structural, thermal, electronic, and operational degradation resulting from weapons effects.
  • Perform quantitative analyses that inform survivability and resilience strategies.
All-Source Intelligence Integration
  • Leverage and synthesize GEOINT, SIGINT, OSINT, and other intelligence sources to assess foreign nuclear capabilities, technological development paths, and operational timelines.
  • Translate fragmented technical information into defensible, evidence-based assessments.
Intelligence Reporting & Briefings
  • Produce high-quality technical reports, assessments, and executive briefings.
  • Present findings, methodologies, and recommendations to senior government stakeholders and technical review boards.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience
Security Requirements
  • Active TS/SCI clearance with an in-scope SSBI required.
  • Must be eligible to obtain a polygraph; active TS/SCI with polygraph preferred.
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
Education & Experience
  • Master's degree with 15+ years of relevant experience, or
  • Doctorate with 13+ years of relevant experience.
Technical Expertise
  • Recognized authority in advanced nuclear technologies, scientific principles, and engineering concepts.
  • Extensive experience with nuclear weapon production, fabrication, storage, deployment, and supply-chain logistics.
  • Demonstrated expertise in assessing vulnerabilities within nuclear-related facilities, stockpiles, and supply chains, and developing mitigation strategies.
  • Deep understanding of fault-tree analysis, hazard analysis, and risk assessment methodologies.
  • Advanced knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear weapon effects, radiation damage mechanisms, and electromagnetic shielding architectures.
  • Experience developing and executing physics-based simulations using tools such as MCNP, SCALE, ORIGEN, and COMSOL, supplemented by data analytics and modeling in Python, MATLAB, and/or C++.
Analytical & Communication Skills
  • Ability to develop sound technical judgments from incomplete or ambiguous information.
  • Experience defending analytical conclusions and communicating uncertainty under rigorous peer review.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders, intelligence professionals, and technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Military, Department of Defense, or Department of Energy experience.
  • Familiarity with ICD 203 (Analytic Standards) and ICD 206 (Sourcing Requirements).
  • Experience with protective design methodologies and survivability requirements for sensitive nuclear facilities.
  • Advanced understanding of EMP and other non-kinetic nuclear effects.

#ASBA
#Snakehead
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
June 10, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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