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Nuclear Licensing Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Licensing Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$123K - $178K/yr

Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology ... The Senior Licensing Engineer serves as a subject‑matter expert for licensing strategy ...

... licensing, engineering, program/project management, supply chain, and procurement) and the U.S. NRC ... This includes relevant topic areas of environmental law, nuclear safety, nuclear security ...

... licensing, engineering, program/project management, supply chain, and procurement) and the U.S. NRC ... This includes relevant topic areas of environmental law, nuclear safety, nuclear security ...

Senior Licensing Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$106K - $154K/yr

Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology ... Licensing personnel play a critical role in ensuring that engineering, design, and construction ...

Senior Licensing Engineer

Parsons, KS · On-site

$96K - $131K/yr

Deep Fission is a nuclear technology company pioneering the development of a revolutionary deep ... Job Summary Deep Fission is seeking a Senior Licensing Engineer to lead regulatory planning and ...

Apply Early

Senior Licensing Engineer

$107K - $146K/yr

Deep Fission is a nuclear technology company pioneering the development of a revolutionary deep ... Job Summary Deep Fission is seeking a Senior Licensing Engineer to lead regulatory planning and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Nuclear Licensing Engineer information

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$65K

$128.1K

$200K

How much do nuclear licensing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear licensing engineer in the United States is $128,113.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,000.00 and $149,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Senior nuclear licensing engineers with extensive expertise, certifications, and leadership roles in the nuclear industry may also reach this level, especially in senior or managerial positions. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and years of experience.

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

To thrive as a Nuclear Licensing Engineer, you need a strong background in nuclear engineering, regulatory compliance, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with NRC regulations, licensing application processes, and specialized software like RELAP or TRACE is often required. Excellent analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication skills help navigate complex regulations and collaborate with regulatory bodies. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safety, regulatory approval, and the smooth operation of nuclear facilities.

What is the difference between Nuclear Licensing Engineer vs Nuclear Safety Engineer?

AspectNuclear Licensing EngineerNuclear Safety Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, licensing certificationsEngineering degree, safety certifications
Work EnvironmentRegulatory agencies, nuclear facilitiesDesign teams, safety analysis departments
Industry UsageRegulatory compliance, licensing processesRisk assessment, safety protocols

The Nuclear Licensing Engineer primarily focuses on obtaining and maintaining licenses for nuclear facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations. In contrast, the Nuclear Safety Engineer concentrates on safety analysis and risk mitigation within nuclear plants. Both roles require similar credentials and work within the nuclear industry, but their core responsibilities differ in licensing versus safety management.

What are Nuclear Licensing Engineers?

Nuclear Licensing Engineers are professionals responsible for ensuring that nuclear facilities and operations comply with all regulatory requirements and safety standards set by governmental agencies. They prepare, review, and submit licensing documents, interpret nuclear regulations, and serve as liaisons between their organizations and regulatory bodies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Their work helps ensure that nuclear power plants and related operations maintain safe and legal practices throughout their lifecycle.

Can you make $500,000 as a nuclear engineer?

Nuclear licensing engineers typically earn salaries ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Reaching a $500,000 salary would generally require senior roles, extensive experience, or additional responsibilities such as management or consulting, which are less common in standard nuclear engineering positions.

What are the typical challenges faced by Nuclear Licensing Engineers during the regulatory approval process?

Nuclear Licensing Engineers often encounter challenges related to interpreting complex regulatory requirements and ensuring all documentation meets stringent safety and compliance standards. They must coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, address detailed questions from regulatory bodies, and adapt to evolving regulations. Effective communication and meticulous attention to detail are essential, as even minor errors can delay approvals. The process can be time-consuming and requires persistence, adaptability, and a strong grasp of both technical and legal aspects of nuclear operations.

What Do Nuclear Licensing Engineers Do?

As a nuclear licensing engineer, your responsibilities include providing licensing and regulatory support for a nuclear energy plant, ensuring systems and equipment are performing as expected. You work closely with regulatory personnel and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to implement new codes and keep the company within regulatory standards. Other duties include preparing design and licensing documents, safety analysis reports, and completing regulatory analyses, ensuring all technical requirements are met. You complete NRC submittals, keep effective communication with NRC inspectors, and solve emerging compliance issues in a timely manner. You research and communicate technical and legal information about plant design and licensing. Some positions require you to be available to respond to emergencies within 60 minutes.

What does a nuclear licensing engineer do?

A nuclear licensing engineer is responsible for ensuring that nuclear facilities and operations comply with regulatory requirements and safety standards. They prepare and review licensing documentation, coordinate with regulatory agencies, and support the approval process for new or modified nuclear systems, often requiring knowledge of nuclear regulations, safety protocols, and technical assessments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or nuclear engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles. High salaries are often associated with roles requiring advanced technical skills, management responsibilities, or work in high-demand industries.
What cities are hiring for Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Nuclear Licensing Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs? The top employers for Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs? For Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Nuclear Licensing Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,113 per year, or $61.6 per hour.
Senior Licensing Engineer

Senior Licensing Engineer

Bechtel

Reston, VA • On-site

$123K - $178K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Bechtel rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

145th of 357 rated engineering


Job description

Requisition ID:  292918

  • Relocation Authorized:  National - Family
  • Telework Type: Part-Time Telework 
  • Work Location: Reston, VA
  • Salary Range: $123,400 - $178,500 annually (salary range is based on market data; final salary offered is determined by education, experience, and qualifications of the applicant.)
Extraordinary teams building inspiring projects:

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. 

Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. 

Core to Bechtel is our Vision, Values and Commitments. They are what we believe, what customers can expect, and how we deliver. Learn more about our extraordinary teams building inspiring projects in our Impact Report. 

Project Overview:

Bechtel executes complex nuclear projects supporting the design, licensing, procurement, and construction of commercial nuclear power facilities and advanced reactor technologies. As an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, Bechtel is responsible for developing safety‑focused, regulatory‑compliant designs and delivering high‑quality engineering solutions across balance of plant and supporting nuclear systems.

Projects may include first‑of‑a‑kind or next‑generation nuclear technologies, such as AP1000 pressurized water reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), and other advanced reactor designs, requiring rigorous licensing integration, configuration management, and collaboration with customers, regulators, and technology suppliers.

Licensing personnel play a critical role in ensuring that engineering, design, and construction activities align with applicable regulatory frameworks, safety requirements, and project objectives. These efforts directly support the safe, efficient development of modern nuclear infrastructure and long‑term clean‑energy generation.

Job Summary:

The Senior Licensing Engineer serves as a subject‑matter expert for licensing strategy, regulatory interpretation, and high‑impact technical documentation. This role leads major licensing deliverables, oversees change processes, resolves complex regulatory issues, and supports regulatory engagement for the project. The position advises project leadership and guides the licensing team to ensure safe, compliant, and cost‑effective design integration.
"This position is designated as part-time telework per our global telework policy and will require at least three days of in-person attendance per week at the assigned office or project. Weekly in-person schedules will be determined by the individual and their supervisor, in consultation with functional or project leadership” #LI-EH1

Major Responsibilities:
  • Lead development and major updates to licensing basis documents, including SAR chapters, topical reports, and technical reports.
  • Lead and oversee licensing change processes such as license amendment packages or international equivalents.
  • Independently assess regulatory risks, develop regulatory strategies, and define mitigation or bounding approaches.
  • Coordinate licensing positions across disciplines, ensuring consistency with technical, schedule, and contract requirements.
  • Represent the project in high‑level technical discussions with regulators, customers, and suppliers.
  • Provide senior‑level QA/QC of all licensing deliverables within assigned scope.
  • Mentor and train licensing engineers; conduct performance reviews and assist with staffing decisions.
  • Resolve complex technical issues involving regulatory codes, standards, and design requirements.
  • Lead preparation of cost estimates and support proposal development related to licensing scope.
  • Integrate multi‑disciplinary inputs and ensure licensing documentation remains accurate and traceable to design.
  • Champion improvements to licensing procedures, workflows, tools, and configuration management.
  • Support development of regulatory roadmaps and long‑term licensing strategies for major initiatives.
Education and Experience Requirements:
  • Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) or advanced degree in Engineering or related technical field and 8-10 years of relevant experience in nuclear licensing, regulatory compliance, or nuclear engineering.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
  • Demonstrated experience leading licensing scope on large projects.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.
  • Recognized expertise in nuclear regulatory frameworks and licensing processes.
  • Ability to develop or defend approaches for meeting or departing from regulatory codes and standards.
  • Strong experience with complex or first‑of‑a‑kind nuclear technologies and advanced reactor systems.
  • Ability to lead regulatory meetings and communicate high‑impact technical issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee change control, configuration management, and QA requirements.
  • Strong leadership capabilities, including mentoring, team coordination, and strategic problem‑solving.
Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

Diverse teams build the extraordinary:

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

We are committed to being a company where every colleague feels that they belong-where colleagues feel part of "One Team," respected and rewarded for what they bring, supported in pursuing their goals, invested in our values and purpose, and treated equitably. Click here to learn more about the people who power our legacy.

At Bechtel, our employees enjoy a competitive total rewards package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, along with optional disability and supplemental insurance options, generous paid time off (160 hours annually, accrued 6.16 hours per pay period), nine paid holidays, paid parental leave, discretionary bonuses, and a well-designed 401K plan with matching and profit-sharing components

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e-mail their request to acesstmt@bechtel.com


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