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Nuclear Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ocean Atomics LLC

Nuclear Test Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$150K - $240K/yr

Role Summary The Test Engineer - Nuclear is responsible for the development, execution, and documentation of test programs supporting the Ocean Atomics Reactor. The role spans safety-related and non ...

New

Ocean Atomics

Nuclear Test Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Role Summary The Test Engineer - Nuclear is responsible for the development, execution, and documentation of test programs supporting the Ocean Atomics Reactor. The role spans safety-related and non ...

New

US Department of the Navy

NUCLEAR ENGINEER

San Diego, CA · On-site

$121K/yr

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Nuclear Test Engineering Division, Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS ...

BWXT

Test Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... As our Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the development and execution of test programs ...

BWX Technologies, Inc.

Test Engineer

Lynchburg, VA

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... As our Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the development and execution of test programs ...

BWXT

Test Engineer

Lynchburg, VA

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... As our Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the development and execution of test programs ...

BWX Technologies

Test Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... As our Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the development and execution of test programs ...

BWXT

Test Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$76K - $157K/yr

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... As our Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the development and execution of test programs ...

BWX Technologies

Test Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$157K/yr

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... As our Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the development and execution of test programs ...

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Nuclear Test Engineer information

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How much do nuclear test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear test engineer in the United States is $44.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $52.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectNuclear Test EngineerNuclear Safety Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in nuclear testingEngineering or science degree, safety certifications
Work EnvironmentTesting facilities, laboratories, nuclear plantsRegulatory agencies, nuclear facilities, safety offices
Industry UsageDesigning and conducting nuclear testsEnsuring safety protocols and compliance
Common Search IntentDifferences, roles, responsibilitiesSafety standards, job duties

While both roles operate within the nuclear industry, a Nuclear Test Engineer focuses on designing and executing nuclear tests to evaluate performance, whereas a Nuclear Safety Engineer concentrates on developing safety protocols and ensuring regulatory compliance. Both positions require specialized knowledge of nuclear systems, but their primary objectives differ: testing versus safety assurance.

What is a nuclear test engineer?

Nuclear Test Engineers are specialized professionals who design, conduct, and analyze tests on nuclear systems, components, or materials. Their primary goal is to ensure the safety, efficiency, and compliance of nuclear technologies in power plants, military applications, or research facilities. They develop testing protocols, monitor experiments, interpret data, and troubleshoot issues related to nuclear equipment. This role often requires a strong background in engineering, physics, and adherence to strict safety and regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by nuclear test engineers during testing phases, and how are they typically addressed?

Nuclear Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as stringent safety regulations, complex testing protocols, and the need for precise data analysis. They must meticulously plan and execute tests to comply with regulatory standards and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. Collaborative problem-solving with multidisciplinary teams, thorough documentation, and rigorous quality control measures are essential strategies for addressing these challenges. Continuous training and adherence to best practices in safety and testing help engineers adapt to evolving technologies and maintain high standards.

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

To thrive as a Nuclear Test Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear engineering principles, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. Familiarity with testing protocols, radiation detection equipment, simulation software, and relevant safety certifications such as HAZMAT or NRC certifications is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail, along with effective teamwork and communication skills, make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient testing processes in environments where precision and safety are paramount.
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What cities are hiring for Nuclear Test Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Nuclear Test Engineer job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Nuclear Test Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Nuclear Test Engineer jobs are:
Nuclear Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,027 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Nuclear Test Engineer

Ocean Atomics LLC

Bethesda, MD • On-site

$150K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

The ocean is the largest undeveloped frontier on earth - and the next chapter of abundant energy will be written at sea. We're building the infrastructure to power it.
About Ocean Atomics (OA)
Ocean Atomics is an American company designing, licensing, and assembling a standardized nuclear electric power plant and the surrounding support systems for maritime applications. We will install these plants on any vessel built to our nuclear-ready standards, and will provide end-to-end sustainment in our planned nuclear lifecycle dockyard. We will help develop the licensed operators to unlock this new capability for your energy intensive application at sea. To move fast and to lead the creation of this new market, we are leveraging the compact, proven systems enabled by water-cooled reactors.
Our mission
Scale nuclear energy. Power generations.
Our vision
A maritime commons thriving with abundant, economical, modern, and safe nuclear-powered activity - built, serviced, and staffed by re-industrialized American shipyards and people.
Role Summary
The Test Engineer - Nuclear is responsible for the development, execution, and documentation of test programs supporting the Ocean Atomics Reactor. The role spans safety-related and non-safety-related systems and covers the full test lifecycle: translating design and analysis inputs into test requirements, supporting facility design and commissioning, running test campaigns, reducing and interpreting the resulting data, and issuing the test reports and data packages that feed design verification and regulatory objectives. Work is performed within a multidisciplinary engineering environment in which test results directly inform component and system design decisions and licensing evidence. The successful candidate will bring strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a genuine appetite for hands-on laboratory engineering, and the ability to contribute to complex testing campaigns that advance the commercialization of next-generation nuclear technology deployed on the world's oceans.
What You'll Do
Test Program Definition
  • Develop test requirements based on Ocean Atomics Reactor design and analysis inputs.
  • Translate technical requirements into detailed test plans, procedures, and specifications.

Test Facility Setup and Operation
  • Support the design, setup, commissioning, and operation of test loops and facilities.
  • Execute test programs, including on-site testing and extended test campaigns.
  • Identify and resolve technical issues encountered during test planning and execution.

Data Acquisition and Analysis
  • Ensure proper data acquisition, validation, and quality control in accordance with quality assurance requirements.
  • Perform data reduction, analysis, and visualization to support engineering evaluations and conclusions.

Documentation and Reporting
  • Prepare comprehensive test reports and data packages for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Produce the design verification documentation that flows from test results to the design and licensing basis.

Coordination and Stakeholder Interface
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure alignment between testing activities and design objectives.
  • Interface with internal and external test sponsors to define requirements, communicate progress, and deliver results.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance
  • Ensure testing activities comply with applicable safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  • Conduct work consistent with the governing quality assurance program and applicable NRC licensing objectives.

What You Bring
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology discipline.
  • 2+ years of relevant laboratory, testing, or engineering experience.
  • Experience interpreting engineering drawings and P&IDs.
  • Experience with technical data reduction, analysis, and visualization.
  • Experience working in a quality-controlled or safety-related environment.
  • Ability to support on-site testing, extended test campaigns, and occasional travel.
  • Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and provide timely technical recommendations.
  • Excellent technical writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred
  • Master's degree in Engineering discipline.
  • 3-5 years of relevant engineering experience, preferably in laboratory, testing, or experimental engineering environments.
  • Experience with test loop or test facility setup, commissioning, and operation.
  • Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis, automation, and visualization.
  • Familiarity with instrumentation selection, calibration, and data acquisition systems.
  • Experience working under NQA-1 quality assurance programs and knowledge of U.S. NRC licensing processes.
  • Experience developing test plans, procedures, reports, and design verification documentation.
  • Experience interfacing directly with internal or external customers, sponsors, or stakeholders.
  • Nuclear industry experience is highly desirable.

Don't meet every bullet? We'd still like to hear from you. If you're excited by the mission and most of this resonates, apply.
Export control notice
This role involves access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including unclassified nuclear technology governed by the U.S. Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. Depending on a candidate's status, access may require DOE authorization, which Ocean Atomics may apply for. Any offer is contingent on your ability to work in compliance with these requirements. We evaluate all applicants regardless of citizenship or national origin, except where required by law.
Why this matters
Every industry on Earth needs scalable, clean energy, and the ocean is the ideal place to unlock it. Joining Ocean Atomics means building real, lasting infrastructure - the kind that powers generations. The world needs abundant energy. Let's make it happen.
Ocean Atomics LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
We are committed to a workplace free of discrimination and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation during the application process, contact info@oceanatomics.com.

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