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Reactor Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

USA JOBS

Operations Engineer

Naperville, IL

$106K/yr

These positions are located in the Office of the Chief Nuclear Reactor Inspector, R3 Division of ... Candidates for Federal Government professional engineering positions must meet certain basic ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Bureau, IL · On-site

$191K/yr

Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at a noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25 years required for noncomparable facility), and 3 years required for ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Minier, IL · On-site

$159K - $191K/yr

Constellation is seeking Initial License Trainees (ILT) to become a licensed Senior Reactor ... Degree from a 4-year program or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology, or physical ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Cornell, IL · On-site

$191K/yr

Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at a noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25 years required for noncomparable facility), and 3 years required for ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Joliet, IL · On-site

$191K/yr

Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at a noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25 years required for noncomparable facility), and 3 years required for ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Joliet, IL · On-site

$159K - $191K/yr

Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at a noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25 years required for noncomparable facility), and 3 years required for ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

De Pue, IL · On-site

$159K - $191K/yr

Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at a noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25 years required for noncomparable facility), and 3 years required for ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Rockford, IL · On-site

$159K - $191K/yr

Constellation is seeking Initial License Trainees (ILT) to become a licensed Senior Reactor ... Degree from a 4-year program or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology, or physical ...

Constellation Energy

Senior Reactor Operator

Dalzell, IL · On-site

$191K/yr

Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at a noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25 years required for noncomparable facility), and 3 years required for ...

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All JobsReactor Engineer JobsReactor Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Reactor Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$57.7K

$108.2K

$196.7K

How much do reactor engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for reactor engineer in Illinois is $108,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $128,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a reactor engineer?

Reactor Engineers are professionals who design, operate, and maintain nuclear reactors. They are responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of reactors used for power generation, research, or medical purposes. Their work involves monitoring reactor systems, conducting safety assessments, and developing procedures to prevent accidents. Reactor Engineers also analyze reactor performance data and collaborate with other engineers and scientists to optimize reactor operations.

What are some common challenges faced by reactor engineers during routine operations and how are they addressed?

Reactor Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining reactor stability, troubleshooting instrumentation issues, and ensuring compliance with strict safety protocols. These challenges are typically managed through continuous monitoring, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (including safety, operations, and maintenance personnel), and adherence to established procedures. Proactive communication and regular training enable Reactor Engineers to respond effectively to unexpected events and maintain optimal reactor performance.

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

To thrive as a Reactor Engineer, you need a solid background in nuclear engineering, reactor physics, and safety protocols, typically supported by a degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. Familiarity with simulation software, reactor monitoring systems, and safety certification such as Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Professional Engineering (PE) is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you solve complex technical problems and work within multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation of nuclear reactors, which is critical for both safety and energy production.

What is the difference between Reactor Engineer vs Nuclear Engineer?

AspectReactor EngineerNuclear Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Nuclear Engineering or related field; often requires licensing or certificationBachelor's or higher in Nuclear Engineering; may also require licensing
Work EnvironmentDesign, operate, and maintain nuclear reactors, often in power plants or research facilitiesResearch, develop, and improve nuclear systems, including reactors and radiation safety
Industry UsagePrimarily in power generation, naval propulsion, and research reactorsResearch institutions, government agencies, and industry R&D

Reactor Engineers focus on the operation and safety of nuclear reactors, ensuring they run efficiently and safely. Nuclear Engineers have a broader scope, including research, development, and design of nuclear systems. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but Reactor Engineers are more hands-on with reactor operation, while Nuclear Engineers often work on innovation and system improvements.

What are popular job titles related to Reactor Engineer jobs in Illinois? For Reactor Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Reactor Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Reactor Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Reactor Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Reactor Engineer job openings in Illinois 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 $108,174 per year, or $52 per hour.

Nuclear Engineer - Reactor Physics

NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

Oak Brook, IL • On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About NANO Nuclear Energy
NANO Nuclear Energy is anadvanced nuclear technology company developing next-generation microreactorsystems that will help transform the future of clean, reliable, and resilientenergy. Through the development of its KRONOS MMR™ EnergySystem, LOKI MMR™ Energy System, and ZEUS™ Solid Core BatteryReactor-advancedhigh-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technologies designed forapplications including data centers, industrial operations, remote communities,and critical infrastructure-the company is advancing innovative nuclearsolutions for a rapidly evolving energy landscape. NANO Nuclear has alsosubmitted a Construction Permit Application (CPA) to the U.S. NuclearRegulatory Commission (NRC) to support the planned deployment of the KRONOS MMRat the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), representing a significantmilestone toward the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology.
Joining NANO Nuclear meanscontributing to pioneering technologies with the potential to redefine thenuclear industry while working alongside experts in engineering, science, andinnovation. Our team operates in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environmentwhere employees are encouraged to solve challenging technical problems andadvance the materials technologies needed for next-generation energy systems.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a Nuclear Engineer, Reactor Physics who will be responsible for performing reactor physics analyses of the nuclear reactor power systems in development at Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc. The Nuclear Engineer will support core design enhancement, integrate customer and regulatory requirements into the reactor core design, and perform analysis and prepare documentation to support licensing of the reactor systems.
Responsibilities:
  • Perform neutron and gamma radiation transport calculations to determine activation/dose rates, heating, and material damage effects, and establish radiation shielding requirements.
  • Design radiation shielding throughout the reactor system.
  • Perform criticality safety calculations.
  • Develop, verify, and validate computational tools for reactor multiphysics analysis.
  • Collaborate with engineering, operations & maintenance, safety analysis, and licensing teams.
  • Assist in training and mentoring junior team members.
  • Ensure compliance with nuclear regulations, licensing requirements, and company safety policies.
  • Contribute to the preparation of documents to enable licensing of Nano Nuclear Energy reactor systems.
  • Responsibilities may extend to other divisions of the business at times.
  • Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field.
  • 7+ years (or M.Sc. and 5+ years) of relevant experience.
  • Strong Monte Carlo skills and strong understanding of reactor physics. Experience in reactor design, radiation shielding, and criticality safety desirable.
  • Strong programming skills in any language; Python is commonly used in this position.
  • Excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills.
  • Nuclear software verification and validation experience is a plus.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field.
  • 7+ years (or M.Sc. and 5+ years) of relevant experience.
  • Strong Monte Carlo skills and strong understanding of reactor physics. Experience in reactor design, radiation shielding, and criticality safety desirable.
  • Strong programming skills in any language; Python is commonly used in this position.
  • Excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills.
  • Nuclear software verification and validation experience is a plus.

Apply