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Nuclear Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Engineer - Nuclear

Columbia, AL · On-site

$97K - $126K/yr

Senior Electrical Engineer - Nuclear Location: 7388 North State Hwy 95 Columbia, AL 36319 Duration ... This role requires deep technical expertise in power plant electrical systems, regulatory ...

Virtual, 1 round Essential Responsibilities Knowledge of nuclear plant operations and nuclear regulatory processes. Knowledge of the human factors engineering process. Ability to analyze requirements ...

Engineer V I&C - Nuclear

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$92K - $110K/yr

Define plant control system interfaces and I/O requirements. * Support digital modernization ... Mechanical Engineering * Nuclear Engineering * Chemical Engineering * Computer Engineering

NY · On-site

$118.02 - $180.31/hr

Lead and mentor junior engineering staff on power plant engineering technical tasks. * Perform ... Experience with nuclear power uprates and/or turbine retrofit projects. * Experience and practical ...

Engineer - Plant Farley Summary of Job Duties: We have openings for engineers that may be filled as ... Engineers at Southern Nuclear may have opportunities to manage special projects. Also, engineers ...

Engineer - Plant Farley Summary of Job Duties: We have openings for engineers that may be filled as ... Engineers at Southern Nuclear may have opportunities to manage special projects. Also, engineers ...

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Nuclear Plant Engineer information

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$97K

$135.7K

$176.5K

How much do nuclear plant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear plant engineer in the United States is $135,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nuclear plant engineer?

Nuclear Plant Engineers are professionals who design, operate, maintain, and ensure the safety of nuclear power plants. They are responsible for managing the systems that generate electricity from nuclear energy, addressing safety protocols, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Their work is crucial in providing reliable and safe energy while minimizing environmental risks and maintaining strict safety guidelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nuclear plant engineer?

To thrive as a Nuclear Plant Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear or mechanical engineering, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and often a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with nuclear reactor systems, safety analysis tools, and regulatory compliance frameworks such as NRC guidelines is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication skills help engineers excel in high-stakes, team-oriented environments. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of nuclear power facilities.

What are some common challenges faced by nuclear plant engineers during daily operations?

Nuclear Plant Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of complex reactor systems. They must remain vigilant about regulatory compliance, swiftly address unexpected technical issues, and coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams including safety, operations, and maintenance staff. Balancing routine monitoring with periodic system upgrades and rigorous safety drills is key, and adapting quickly to evolving technology and safety protocols is essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Nuclear Plant Engineer vs Nuclear Reactor Operator?

AspectNuclear Plant EngineerNuclear Reactor Operator
CredentialsBachelor's in Nuclear Engineering or related field; licensing often requiredHigh school diploma or equivalent; specialized training and licensing required
Work EnvironmentDesign, maintenance, and safety analysis within nuclear power plantsOperate and monitor reactor systems directly during shifts
Employer & Industry UsagePower plants, engineering firms, regulatory agenciesNuclear power plants, energy sector

The main difference is that Nuclear Plant Engineers focus on designing, maintaining, and ensuring safety protocols for nuclear facilities, often working behind the scenes. In contrast, Nuclear Reactor Operators are responsible for the real-time operation and control of reactor systems during shifts. Both roles require specialized training and licensing but differ in daily responsibilities and focus areas.

More about Nuclear Plant Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Nuclear Plant Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Nuclear Plant Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Nuclear Plant Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nuclear Plant Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Nuclear Plant Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,726 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Nuclear Engineer (Plant Analysis), Associate (Entry Level)

Naval Nuclear Laboratory

West Mifflin, PA • On-site

$63K - $97K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Naval Nuclear Laboratory rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

About Us

Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, and Collaboration. Our company promotes a positive culture while ensuring the safety and reliability of our nation's naval nuclear reactors, and training the Sailors who operate those reactors in the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carrier Fleets. Looking for a lifetime career? Apply today!

Job Description

Are you interested in learning about the nuclear power propulsion systems on the US Navy's aircraft carriers and submarines? The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is seeking an entry level engineer to join the Fleet Reactor Engineering department to lead evaluations of a wide range of nuclear reactor operations and transients. This is an excellent opportunity to gain an integrated understanding of how many different reactor designs operate while developing analytical skills that support our important mission and keep our sailors, the public, and the environment safe. The successful candidate's duties could include, but are not limited to: thermal hydraulic model development and analysis, researching and developing probabilistic models for reactor plant safety, understanding and communicating nuclear plant accident progression, developing scripts to run our models and post-process results, working productively and efficiently with a team of knowledgeable professionals to document different analyses, and understanding and communicating results to coworkers, managers, and Naval Reactors.

NNL develops and supports the world's safest and most advanced reactor plants and as an engineer in the Fleet Reactor Engineering department, your contributions will be directly tied to this important mission!

Required Combination of Knowledge and Skill
  • Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field; or
  • Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field.
Preferred Skills
  • Degrees in Nuclear and Chemical Engineering are preferred, but not required.
  • Experience with thermal-hydraulic analysis, scripting, and coding preferably with reactor safety computer codes such as RELAP5-3D or MELCOR or post-processing in MATLAB or Python.
  • Experience with fluid dynamics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and other related subjects.
  • Ability to understand large/complex systems including fluids, heat transfer, instrumentation and control systems, and electrical components.
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills with an ability to articulate technical ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Compensation and Benefits
  • Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Benefits
  • Disability, Life & Accident Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings program & Capital Accumulation Plan
  • Personal & Medical Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible Work Schedules
  • Tuition Assistance for Eligible Employees
  • Student Debt Benefit Personal Time Off Sell Program
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness Program
  • Visit us online to view all NNL benefits!
Pay Range
$63,900.00 - $97,800.00 annually
Salary information provided is a general guideline only. Annual salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel are FMP employees who work at four DOE facilities: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site, and Naval Reactors Facility, and at the U.S. Department of Defense-owned Nuclear Power Training Unit-Charleston. FMP employees also have an established presence at numerous shipyards and vendor locations. For nearly 70 years, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory has developed advanced nuclear propulsion technology, provided technical support, and trained world-class nuclear operators to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier Fleets. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is a national asset solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. We rely on the dedication and innovation of our nearly 8000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. FMP is a government contractor and maintains a drug free workplace and workforce. All candidates must be able to pass a drug test in compliance with FMP company policy and 10 CFR 707. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule I controlled substance and illegal under Federal Law. Therefore, FMP is required to test for marijuana.

Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state, or local law.

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