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Physicist Nuclear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nuclear Engineer - Sr

Reston, VA · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Required Education (Senior) Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or Physics, 11+ years of experience. Desired Certification Professional Engineering. Description Nalley Consulting has an ...

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Nuclear Test Engineering Division, Nuclear Engineering ... physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a ...

Nuclear Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$106.50 - $146.48/hr

This may include nuclear engineering areas such as radiation shielding, criticality safety, accident dose consequence, reactor physics modeling and design, transient analysis, and radiation detection.

New

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

This unique role combines rigorous computational physics, engineering analysis, and all-source ... Nuclear Hardness & Survivability * Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Reston, VA

$102K - $122K/yr

This unique role combines rigorous computational physics, engineering analysis, and all-source ... Nuclear Hardness & Survivability * Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities ...

About the Role Radiant is a seeking a Nuclear Engineer, Core Physics responsible for designing and implementing nuclear-specific testing operations at our 2026 demonstration. You will be responsible ...

Nuclear Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

This may include nuclear engineering areas such as radiation shielding, criticality safety, accident dose consequence, reactor physics modeling and design, transient analysis, and radiation detection.

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Physicist Nuclear Engineer information

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$39.5K

$94.8K

$226.5K

How much do physicist nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for physicist nuclear engineer in the United States is $94,805.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can a nuclear physicist do?

A nuclear physicist can work in research and development, nuclear energy production, medical physics, or national laboratories. They often analyze nuclear reactions, develop radiation safety protocols, or design nuclear systems, requiring strong analytical skills and knowledge of nuclear technology.

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

To thrive as a Physicist Nuclear Engineer, you need a solid background in physics, mathematics, and nuclear engineering, often supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with simulation software (such as MCNP or ANSYS), radiation detection equipment, and knowledge of regulatory standards is typically required, with professional certifications like a Professional Engineer (PE) license being advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set top professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualifications ensure safety, innovation, and compliance in the design and operation of nuclear systems.

How do physicists and nuclear engineers typically collaborate on projects involving nuclear reactor design?

Physicists and nuclear engineers often work closely together on nuclear reactor design projects. Physicists focus on understanding fundamental nuclear processes and developing theoretical models, while nuclear engineers apply these models to solve practical engineering challenges, such as reactor safety and efficiency. Collaboration usually involves interdisciplinary meetings, shared research, and joint problem-solving sessions to ensure that theoretical insights are effectively translated into real-world reactor systems. This team-based approach helps bridge the gap between scientific discovery and applied engineering, leading to innovative and safe reactor designs.

What is a physicist nuclear engineer?

Physicist Nuclear Engineers are professionals who combine the principles of physics and nuclear engineering to study, design, and implement systems involving nuclear energy and radiation. They may work on nuclear power plants, radiation safety, medical applications, nuclear weapons, or research in nuclear technology. Their work involves understanding nuclear reactions, developing safe procedures for handling radioactive materials, and advancing innovations in energy production or medical imaging. These experts often collaborate with other engineers and scientists to solve complex problems related to nuclear science.

What is the difference between Physicist Nuclear Engineer vs Nuclear Technician?

AspectPhysicist Nuclear EngineerNuclear Technician
Required CredentialsMaster's or Ph.D. in Physics or Nuclear EngineeringAssociate's or Bachelor's in Nuclear Technology or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, nuclear power plantsNuclear power plants, medical facilities, research sites
Job FocusTheoretical research, design, and development of nuclear systemsOperating, maintaining, and monitoring nuclear equipment

Physicist Nuclear Engineers typically hold advanced degrees and focus on research and design in nuclear science, while Nuclear Technicians support operational tasks and maintenance in nuclear facilities. Both roles are essential in the nuclear industry but differ in education requirements and job responsibilities.

More about Physicist Nuclear Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Physicist Nuclear Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Physicist Nuclear Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Physicist Nuclear Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Physicist Nuclear Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Physicist Nuclear Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,805 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

SUPERVISORY HEALTH PHYSICIST/ NUCLEAR ENGINEER

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Bremerton, WA • On-site

$141K/yr

Other

Posted 16 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 537 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as a SUPERVISORY HEALTH PHYSICIST OR NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the Radiological Monitoring Division, Radiological Control Office Code 105.3 of PSNS and IMF.Qualifications:In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional Engineer or Health Physicist planning, coordinating, and evaluating a radiation monitoring program by executing radiological controls in connection with the overhaul refueling, and testing associated with Naval nuclear propulsion plants.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
Individual Occupational Requirements for all Professional Health Physicist Positions, 1306 Series
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/health-physics-series-1306/
Individual Occupational Requirements for all Professional Engineering Positions, 800 Series
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: Applicants must posses:
For 0840 Nuclear Engineer:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
For 1306 Health Physicist:
A. Degree: natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education that provided an understanding of sciences applicable to health physics comparable to that described in paragraph A.
Employment Type: OTHER

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