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Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer Jobs in Burr Ridge, IL

Nuclear Power Generating * Pulp and Paper Industry * Refuse * Steel Mills * Transit Railroads ... Design Engineer ID: 71420316 Department: Rail Maintenance Equipment Location: Crete, IL Description ...

Senior Graphite Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$105K - $144K/yr

About NANO Nuclear Energy NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing ... Support the design, evaluation, and qualification of graphite components used in advanced reactor ...

About NANO Nuclear Energy NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing ... Interface with responsible system engineers to ensure supporting design documents provide objective ...

Licensing Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$95K - $160K/yr

About NANO Nuclear Energy NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing ... Interface with responsible system engineers to ensure supporting design documents provide objective ...

Showing results 21-40

Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer information

See Burr Ridge, IL salary details

$61

$83

$100

How much do nuclear reactor design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear reactor design engineer in Burr Ridge, IL is $83.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81.59 and $92.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a nuclear reactor design engineer do?

A Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and improving nuclear reactors and their components to ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. They work on developing reactor systems, fuel cycles, cooling systems, and safety protocols. Their work involves using advanced computer modeling, conducting simulations, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to address technical challenges in nuclear power generation. These engineers play a crucial role in advancing nuclear technology and supporting the safe operation of nuclear facilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nuclear reactor design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and often a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation software (such as MCNP or RELAP), CAD systems, and regulatory codes is essential. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively and address complex design challenges. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant reactor designs in a highly technical and safety-critical environment.

What are some common challenges faced by nuclear reactor design engineers when working on new reactor projects?

Nuclear Reactor Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with strict safety regulations, integrating cutting-edge technology within established frameworks, and managing interdisciplinary coordination with teams like structural, thermal, and safety engineers. Balancing innovation with regulatory requirements can be demanding, as every design decision must consider long-term reliability and public safety. Additionally, adapting designs to meet evolving industry standards and addressing feedback from regulatory bodies are integral parts of the role.

What is the difference between Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer vs Nuclear Safety Engineer?

AspectNuclear Reactor Design EngineerNuclear Safety Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing nuclear reactor systems and componentsEnsuring safety protocols and risk assessments for nuclear facilities
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, possibly PE license, specialized training in reactor designEngineering or science degree, certifications in safety standards, risk management
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, research facilities, nuclear power plantsRegulatory agencies, nuclear plants, safety analysis labs
Industry UsageUsed during reactor development and construction phasesUsed in safety evaluations, compliance, and incident prevention

While both roles require engineering expertise and knowledge of nuclear systems, Nuclear Reactor Design Engineers focus on creating and improving reactor designs, whereas Nuclear Safety Engineers prioritize safety protocols and risk mitigation to ensure safe operation of nuclear facilities.

How much do nuclear reactor design engineers make?

Nuclear reactor design engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior engineers or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually.

How much does a nuclear reactor design engineer make?

A nuclear reactor design engineer typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior engineers or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000. The role often requires knowledge of nuclear physics, reactor systems, and safety regulations.

What cities near Burr Ridge, IL are hiring for Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Burr Ridge, IL with the most Nuclear Reactor Design Engineer job openings:

Lead Planner & Scheduler

Oak Brook, IL • On-site, Remote

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc
Nuclear Electric Power Generation • 11 - 50 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

About NANO Nuclear Energy

NANO Nuclear Energy (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced nuclear technology company developing the KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor (MMR)-a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK), completely meltdown-proof, high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. We are actively scaling our internal deployment and construction division to execute our flagship commercial demonstration project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

Role Overview

NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking a Lead Enterprise Planner & Scheduler to act as the central operational bridge between our advanced nuclear engineering teams and future Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partners.

As we move the KRONOS MMR toward deployment, we require an expert who can translate complex, iterative reactor designs into actionable timelines. Your primary mandate is to orchestrate the project pipeline from conceptual design to executable bid packages, ensuring our R&D floor remains fully focused on reactor design without administrative friction.

Core Responsibilities

  • PBS to WBS Pipeline: Collaborate with the Product Lifecycle Manager (PLM) to ingest the Product Breakdown Structure (PBS) from Siemens Teamcenter and translate it into a highly accurate Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) mapping to System Design Descriptions (SDDs).
  • Engineering Timeline Management: Develop and maintain the master control schedule. Track engineering deliverables to ensure technical specifications are finalized at a pace that supports the generation of Scope of Work (SOW) and formal bid packages.
  • Primavera P6 & Ecosystem Architecture: Build and manage massive, complex manufacturing and installation timelines utilizing Oracle Primavera P6. Ensure all schedule and Gantt data integrates cleanly into NANO's dedicated Dynamics 365 Dataverse environment for macro-level reporting and ERP synchronization.
  • EPC & Balance of Plant (BOP) Preparation: Organize work packages for the eventual handoff to a Tier-1 EPC partner and Owner's Rep. Support timeline integration for the off-site, modular assembly of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) BOP components.
  • Reporting & Change Control: Assess project data quality, manage strict version control, and translate the master control schedule into accurate reporting for the VP of Operations.

Required Qualifications

  • Scheduling Expertise: 5+ years of complex project scheduling experience in heavy industrial construction, aerospace, advanced modular manufacturing, or complex product development.
  • Software Mastery: Expert-level proficiency utilizing Oracle Primavera P6 (EPPM) in an enterprise setting to manage massive critical path networks, multi-tiered dependencies, and resource loading, alongside familiarity with Microsoft Planner.
  • Strategic Agility: Proven ability to navigate early design phases, building WBS frameworks and scheduling iterative engineering work before full construction drawings exist.
  • Communication: Exceptional ability to interface with highly technical engineers to extract schedule data efficiently, protecting design velocity.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Regulated Industry Experience: Direct experience scheduling projects within the nuclear energy sector, Department of Defense (DoD), or highly regulated environments subject to ASME NQA-1, NRC Part 53/57, or DOE Part 810 mandates.
  • PLM Familiarity: Strong working knowledge of enterprise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, specifically Siemens Teamcenter or Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE.
  • Dynamics 365 Integration: Experience architecting schedules that natively integrate with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 / Dataverse ecosystem or Project Operations.
  • Supply Chain Interface: Previous experience feeding scheduling data directly into early-stage procurement efforts or EPC bid package generation.

 What We Offer 

  • A collaborative engineering culture focused on innovation and technical excellence. 
  • Opportunities for mentorship, professional growth, and technical leadership. 
  • The opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more reliable energy future. 
  • Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance with generous company contributions.
  • Company 401(k) plan with 5% match.
  • Unlimited PTO policy with company holidays and paid parental leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.