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Radiation Detector Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Staff Systems Engineer will support the design, integration, productization, and production ... radiation detection systems for mobile search platforms, handheld and portable detector systems ...

Staff Systems Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Aug 17, 2026 The Staff Systems Engineer will support the design, integration, productization, and ... radiation detection systems for mobile search platforms, handheld and portable detector systems ...

Nuclear Engineer, Sensors

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

Support detector response modeling and verification using radiation transport codes to ensure ... Bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or equivalent degree from an accredited institution. * 1 ...

Radiation Detection: Design, specify, and qualify in-core and ex-core detector systems (fission ... Bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or equivalent degree from an accredited institution. * 1 ...

Nuclear Engineer

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$95K - $114K/yr

About the Role As a Nuclear Engineer at Fuse, you'll bring expertise in particle transport, Monte ... Develop and maintain radiation test environments for detector calibration and material testing.

Nuclear Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$105K - $155K/yr

Develop and maintain radiation test environments for detector calibration and material testing ... Master's or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a related field. * Strong experience in Monte ...

Nuclear Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Setup and perform radiation transport and activation simulations of fusion devices and facilities ... Support analysis of fusion products detector data on operating fusion energy systems. Support ...

Optical Payload Engineer

Golden, CO · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

Evaluate payload performance drivers including aperture, focal length, detector pitch, stray light ... Awareness of spacecraft-level considerations including thermal distortion, radiation effects on ...

Optical Payload Engineer

Golden, CO · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

Evaluate payload performance drivers including aperture, focal length, detector pitch, stray light ... Awareness of spacecraft-level considerations including thermal distortion, radiation effects on ...

$150 - $200/hr

Analyze detector physics, noise sources, and system level performance limitations * Research and ... exposure to X-rays, radiation, and biological materials. All work is performed following ...

Showing results 41-60

Radiation Detector Engineer information

See salary details

$81.5K

$118.4K

$161K

How much do radiation detector engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for radiation detector engineer in the United States is $118,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,500.00 and $156,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a radiation detector engineer do?

A Radiation Detector Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains devices that detect, measure, and analyze radiation levels. These professionals work with a variety of technologies, including scintillation counters, semiconductor detectors, and gas-filled detectors, to ensure accurate radiation detection in fields such as nuclear power, medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and homeland security. They also troubleshoot instruments, optimize performance, and may be involved in research to improve detector sensitivity and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a radiation detector engineer?

To thrive as a Radiation Detector Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, electrical engineering, or a related field, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master’s degree. Familiarity with radiation detection technologies, signal processing software, and safety standards—along with certifications like HAZWOPER or DOE Q Clearance—are often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help engineers collaborate and troubleshoot complex systems. These skills ensure the safe and accurate design, implementation, and maintenance of radiation detection equipment critical for research, medical, and security applications.

What are some typical challenges a radiation detector engineer might face in daily work, and how are they addressed?

Radiation Detector Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of detection systems in complex environments, such as nuclear facilities or medical imaging centers. These challenges may include calibrating sensitive instruments, troubleshooting electronic components, and interpreting data from various radiation sources. To address these issues, engineers frequently collaborate with physicists, health and safety personnel, and technical staff to optimize detector performance, implement rigorous quality assurance protocols, and stay updated on emerging technologies and standards.

What is the difference between Radiation Detector Engineer vs Nuclear Instrumentation Engineer?

AspectRadiation Detector EngineerNuclear Instrumentation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, physics, or related field; certifications like NRC or ANSI often preferredSimilar degrees; certifications in nuclear safety and instrumentation
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, field testing sitesNuclear power plants, research reactors, industrial facilities
Industry UsageDesign, testing, and calibration of radiation detection devicesDevelopment and maintenance of nuclear measurement and control systems

Both roles involve working with nuclear technology and instrumentation, but Radiation Detector Engineers focus on designing and testing radiation detection devices, while Nuclear Instrumentation Engineers work on broader nuclear measurement systems within nuclear facilities. They share similar credentials and work environments, often overlapping in industry applications.

What are popular job titles related to Radiation Detector Engineer jobs?

For Radiation Detector Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Radiation Detector Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,363 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Staff Systems Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Ametek
Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support the design and integration of portable, wearable, and mobile radiation detection products.

  • Develop electronics architectures and contribute to embedded firmware development for detector systems.

  • Support technical execution throughout the product lifecycle, including prototype development, verification, and production release.


AMETEK rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 162 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

The Staff Systems Engineer will support the design, integration, productization, and production support of radiation detection systems for mobile search platforms, handheld and portable detector systems, and related field instruments. This role requires strong system-level expertise across detector selection, electronics architecture, embedded firmware, mechanical integration, verification, manufacturability, and new product development.
Key Responsibilities
System Architecture & Detector Integration
  • Support the design and integration of portable, wearable, and mobile radiation detection products.
  • Balance system performance, size, weight, power consumption, cost, ruggedness, supply risk, and product positioning.
  • Evaluate and integrate detector technologies including scintillators, silicon sensors, neutron detectors, and related sensing technologies.

Hardware, Firmware & Embedded Product Development
  • Develop electronics architectures for detector biasing, analog front ends, pulse processing, ADC interfaces, power management, batteries, communications, and rugged I/O.
  • Contribute to embedded firmware development, FPGA/DSP interfaces, microcontroller control, detector readout, calibration, diagnostics, and alarm logic.
  • Integrate hardware, firmware, software, mechanical systems, displays, controls, wireless interfaces, and production test capabilities.
  • Support prototype builds, PCB bring-up, firmware debugging, detector characterization, environmental testing, and verification activities.

New Product Development & Cross-Functional Execution
  • Support technical execution throughout the product lifecycle, from concept and requirements through prototype development, verification, production release, and sustaining support.
  • Collaborate with electrical, firmware/software, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, product management, service, and supplier teams.
  • Prepare technical documentation, test plans, design reviews, risk assessments, verification evidence, and release-ready product documentation.

Compliance & Quality
  • Design products to meet applicable radiation detection, safety, EMC, environmental, cybersecurity, and quality requirements.
  • Support qualification testing, compliance documentation, verification and validation activities, manufacturability reviews, and corrective actions.
  • Apply disciplined design-for-manufacturing (DFM), design-for-test (DFT), reliability, documentation, and configuration control practices.

Customer & Business Support
  • Support customer demonstrations, field feedback reviews, competitive assessments, and product roadmap discussions.
  • Identify technologies, suppliers, and design approaches that improve product performance, availability, cost efficiency, and differentiation.
  • Support existing product lines through obsolescence management and manufacturing production support activities.

Requirements
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field required.
  • Master's degree preferred.
  • 6+ years of experience developing hardware-integrated instrumentation, embedded systems, radiation detection products, scientific instruments, defense/security systems, or other high-reliability products.
  • Demonstrated experience leading or supporting new product development from concept through production release.
  • Experience transitioning prototypes into repeatable production environments with manufacturing and quality teams.

Technical Expertise
  • Strong system-level judgment across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical design, power systems, packaging, usability, testing, and manufacturing.
  • Hands-on experience with analog, digital, mixed-signal, embedded, or firmware design for measurement systems.
  • Experience with embedded processors, FPGA/DSP interfaces, ADC acquisition, communications, power management, and battery-operated products.
  • Ability to lead trade studies, design reviews, prototype evaluations, verification planning, and root-cause investigations.
  • Working knowledge of gamma, alpha/beta, and/or neutron detection principles and associated integration tradeoffs.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.

Industry Knowledge
  • Experience with SPRDs, RIIDs, handheld instruments, mobile search systems, portal monitor components, contamination monitors, or nuclear security products.
  • Experience with detector technologies such as NaI(Tl), CsI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce), CLLBC, plastic/polymer scintillators, ZnS, silicon, He-3, Li-6, boron-lined, or similar detectors.
  • Familiarity with ANSI N42-series standards, IEC/UL 61010-1, EMC requirements, environmental qualification, or agency certification processes.

Professional Skills
  • Strong communication skills with engineering, product management, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, customers, and leadership teams.

About the Business Unit
Advanced Measurement Technology (AMT), part of AMETEK's Materials Analysis Division, is a global leader in high-precision measurement and detection solutions. Headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, AMT designs and manufactures advanced instrumentation for nuclear spectrometry, radiological measurement, electrochemical analysis, and electronic signal recovery. Our technologies enable customers in research, defense, homeland security, and industrial markets to solve their most complex challenges with accuracy and reliability.
AMT combines renowned brands such as ORTEC, Amptek, and Sunpower, delivering differentiated solutions for applications ranging from radiation detection and semiconductor analysis to cryogenic cooling systems. As a cleared defense contractor, AMT also supports U.S. government programs with custom products and services. With a strong culture of innovation and operational excellence, AMT continues to expand globally, leveraging decades of expertise to drive advancements in safety, security, and scientific discovery.
Visit us online:
  • www.ametek.com
  • www.ortec-online.com
  • www.sunpowerinc.com
  • www.ameteksi.com
  • www.ortec-online.com/innoriid
  • www.amptek.com

Compensation
Employee Type: Salaried
Currency: USD
Salary Minimum: 110,000
Salary Maximum: 135,000
Incentive: No
Disclaimer: Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.
For more information on AMETEK's competitive benefits, please click here.
AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.5 billion.
AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers' most complex challenges. We employ 22,000 colleagues, in 35 countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK is a component of the S&P 500. Visit https://www.ametek.com/careers for more information.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should call 1 (866) 263-8359.

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