1

Physicist Nuclear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nuclear Engineer - Radiological

Austin, TX

$97K - $117K/yr

Other duties as assigned Qualifications * BS, MS, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, or a related degree (e.g., physics with nuclear concentration) * 5+ years of applicable experience in PWR or BWR ...

Nuclear Engineer - Mid and Sr

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

Bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, engineering technologies, or a physical science field ... Nuclear engineering * Thermo-hydraulics * Seismic / earthquake * Physics * Computational science

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.

Nuclear Engineer - Radiological

Austin, TX · On-site

$97K - $117K/yr

Other duties as assigned Qualifications * BS, MS, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, or a related degree (e.g., physics with nuclear concentration) * 5+ years of applicable experience in PWR or BWR ...

Nuclear Engineer - Mid and Sr

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

Bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, engineering technologies, or a physical science field ... Nuclear engineering * Thermo-hydraulics * Seismic / earthquake * Physics * Computational science

Nuclear Engineer

Markle, IN

$90K - $107K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Homosassa, FL

$76K - $91K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Terre Haute, IN

$93K - $112K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Hornell, NY

$85K - $102K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

North Falmouth, MA

$106K - $127K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Angels Camp, CA

$101K - $121K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Imperial, PA

$101K - $121K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Dayton, IN

$94K - $113K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Brinkley, AR

$87K - $104K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Miles, TX

$94K - $113K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Union Park, FL

$89K - $106K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Nuclear Engineer

Lubbock, TX

$84K - $101K/yr

Job Title: Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component: Officer • Active ... physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves ...

Showing results 21-40

Physicist Nuclear Engineer information

See salary details

$39.5K

$94.8K

$226.5K

How much do physicist nuclear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 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.

Nuclear Engineer - Radiological

Last Energy

Austin, TX

$97K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Last Energy seeks an experienced Radiological Engineer to support the safety and licensing analysis for the PWR-20 micro nuclear reactor. This person will work closely with the nuclear engineering and safety analysis staff to ensure that the PWR-20 design meets radiation safety and accident dose requirements.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
  • Determine core and coolant radiological source terms
  • Determine neutron and gamma radiation fields
  • Calculate the dose due to theoretical accidents and the impact on surrounding areas
  • Participate in and support interfaces with customer and regulatory authorities to obtain regulatory approval of the Last Energy reactor core design, codes, and methods
  • Prepare and review safety analyses, calculation files, and associated records
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
  • BS, MS, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, or a related degree (e.g., physics with nuclear concentration)
  • 5+ years of applicable experience in PWR or BWR radiological evaluations
  • Proficiency in MCNP, SCALE, RADTRAD, or other nuclear industry analysis code as well as scripting and coding with PYTHON or EXCEL VB
  • Positive and effective team interaction skills and value positive peer relationships
  • Effective written and oral communication skills