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Nuclear Security Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also ... About This Role As a General Matter Security Engineer, you will play a critical role in protecting ...

Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also ... About This Role As a General Matter Security Engineer, you will play a critical role in protecting ...

Systems Engineer

Millersville, MD · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Systems Engineer Overview: We are seeking an experienced systems engineer to lead the design ... Lead the architecture and detailed design of nuclear physical protection and security systems in ...

Systems Engineer

Millersville, MD · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Systems Engineer Overview: We are seeking an experienced systems engineer to lead the design ... Lead the architecture and detailed design of nuclear physical protection and security systems in ...

Systems Engineer

Millersville, MD · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

This engineering role requires hands-on technical leadership across system architecture ... Lead the architecture and detailed design of nuclear physical protection and security systems in ...

Showing results 21-40

Nuclear Security Engineer information

See salary details

$61.5K

$152.8K

$205.5K

How much do nuclear security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear security engineer in the United States is $152,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a nuclear security engineer do?

A Nuclear Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security systems that protect nuclear power plants and nuclear materials from threats such as theft, sabotage, or unauthorized access. Their work involves assessing potential vulnerabilities, developing security protocols, and ensuring compliance with governmental regulations. They also collaborate with other engineers, security personnel, and regulatory agencies to develop and test emergency response plans. This role is critical in ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities and the public.

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

To thrive as a Nuclear Security Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear engineering, physical security principles, and risk assessment, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and security clearance. Familiarity with security systems, intrusion detection technologies, and compliance frameworks such as NRC regulations is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for safeguarding nuclear facilities and ensuring compliance with stringent safety and security standards.

What are some common challenges faced by nuclear security engineers in maintaining facility safety?

Nuclear Security Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly evolving security threats, ensuring compliance with strict regulatory requirements, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to implement robust safety protocols. They must stay current on technological advancements and potential vulnerabilities, while also conducting regular risk assessments and emergency drills. Balancing operational efficiency with uncompromising security standards requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication with both technical staff and management.

What is the difference between Nuclear Security Engineer vs Nuclear Safety Specialist?

AspectNuclear Security EngineerNuclear Safety Specialist
CredentialsEngineering degree, security certificationsEngineering/science degree, safety certifications
Work EnvironmentSecurity systems, threat assessments, physical securitySafety protocols, risk assessments, regulatory compliance
Industry UsageSecurity of nuclear facilities and materialsOperational safety and accident prevention
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

While both roles focus on nuclear facility safety, Nuclear Security Engineers primarily handle security measures to prevent theft, sabotage, or terrorism, whereas Nuclear Safety Specialists focus on safety protocols to prevent accidents and ensure regulatory compliance. Both roles require specialized knowledge and certifications, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Nuclear Security Engineer jobs?

For Nuclear Security Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Staff Application Security Engineer

Washington, DC • On-site

$66.50 - $89/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.
We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.
We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values-Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity-guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.
About the role
The Nuclear Company is searching for an Application Security Engineer to help secure the software, data systems, and developer workflows that power our Nuclear Operating System, internal platforms, and mission-critical applications. This is a high-ownership role for a builder who is equally comfortable reviewing application architecture, threat modeling an API, improving GitHub security controls, and partnering directly with engineers to ship secure software quickly.
You will work across product engineering, platform engineering, data science, infrastructure, and operations to embed security into the way we design, build, test, and deploy software. You will help define secure development standards, review high-impact product designs, harden CI/CD workflows, and guide teams through vulnerability remediation in a practical, risk-based way.
This role reports to the Senior Manager for Application and Product Security.
Responsibilities
Application & Product Security
  • Perform security reviews and threat models for NOS modules, internal tools, APIs, data workflows, AI-enabled features, and cloud-connected applications.
  • Partner with engineering teams to identify and remediate risks across authentication, authorization, tenant isolation, input validation, secrets handling, encryption, logging, and data access.
  • Review application designs and code changes for security issues before they become production risk.
  • Define reusable security patterns for web applications, APIs, mobile workflows, internal platforms, and data-heavy systems.
  • Help establish secure-by-default approaches for applications that support regulated, high-consequence infrastructure.

Secure SDLC & Developer Enablement
  • Build and improve DevSecOps practices across the GitHub-based software development lifecycle, including code scanning, dependency review, secret scanning, branch protections, CI/CD hardening, and secure developer workflows.
  • Partner with engineering teams to create paved roads: secure templates, checklists, automation, documentation, and lightweight review processes that help teams move faster with confidence.
  • Triage and prioritize application security findings from SAST, SCA, secrets scanning, penetration tests, code reviews, and internal assessments.
  • Develop pragmatic vulnerability management workflows, remediation guidance, and engineering-facing metrics.
  • Support secure coding education through design reviews, office hours, documentation, and hands-on partnership with developers.

Platform, Cloud & Data Security
  • Collaborate with cloud and platform engineers to secure AWS workloads, infrastructure-as-code, service integrations, data pipelines, and deployment workflows.
  • Review integrations involving Palantir Foundry, partner APIs, internal data platforms, and AI-assisted engineering workflows.
  • Help secure sensitive data flows across application, platform, and operational environments.
  • Partner with infrastructure and developer teams to ensure application events, audit logs, and security signals are captured in ways that support investigation and response.
  • Navigate the security expectations of a regulated nuclear energy environment, including relevant cybersecurity frameworks and critical infrastructure considerations.

Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Serve as a trusted security partner to software engineers, product managers, data engineers, infrastructure teams, and business stakeholders.
  • Communicate risk clearly and practically, balancing security, delivery speed, product usability, and operational impact.
  • Contribute to the application and product security roadmap as the company scales from early-stage systems to fleet-scale operations.
  • Help build a culture of ownership, velocity, and technical rigor across engineering and cybersecurity.

Experience
  • 4+ years of experience in application security, product security, software security, or software engineering with a strong security focus.
  • Hands-on experience reviewing, building, or securing modern software systems, including web applications, APIs, distributed systems, or cloud-native services.
  • Strong understanding of common application security risks, including authentication, authorization, access control, injection, insecure deserialization, SSRF, secrets exposure, dependency and supply chain risk, and insecure API design.
  • Experience with secure SDLC tooling and workflows such as GitHub Advanced Security, CodeQL, Dependabot, SAST, SCA, secret scanning, CI/CD security, or equivalent platforms.
  • Ability to read and reason about code in at least one modern programming language such as Python, TypeScript, Go, Java, C#, or C++.
  • Familiarity with AWS security concepts, including IAM, logging, encryption, networking, secrets management, and infrastructure-as-code.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with engineers to solve security problems without creating unnecessary friction.
  • Have a strong grasp of offensive security to anticipate risks from an adversary's perspective, not just check compliance boxes.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience securing software in regulated, industrial, energy, national security, aerospace, medical, or other mission-critical environments.
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools, LLM-enabled applications, prompt-injection risks, model/tool integrations, or AI software supply chain concerns.
  • Experience with vulnerability management, penetration testing, experience with DAST tools, or incident response.
  • Familiarity with frameworks or standards such as OWASP ASVS, OWASP Top 10, OWASP API Security Top 10, NIST CSF, NIST 800-53, SOC 2, IEC 62443, or NERC CIP.
  • Security certifications such as AWS Certified Security - Specialty or OSWE
  • Genuine interest in nuclear energy, critical infrastructure, hard-tech, and applying software security to physical systems.

Benefits
  • Competitive compensation packages
  • 401k with company match
  • Medical, dental, vision plans
  • Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary RangeThe estimated starting salary range for this role is $150,000 - $173,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.
EEO StatementThe Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.
Export Control
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.
Recruiting Fraud Alert
Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page.