Nuclear Engineering
Harness nuclear science for energy, medicine, and national security
Overview
Nuclear engineering applies the principles of nuclear physics to develop technologies for energy production, medical treatment, national defense, and scientific research. The field is best known for nuclear power generation, but it also encompasses medical isotope production, radiation therapy equipment, nuclear propulsion, and nonproliferation technology. Nuclear engineers work with some of the most energy-dense processes known to science.
What You'll Actually Do
A nuclear engineer might spend the day running Monte Carlo neutron transport simulations to optimize a reactor core design, analyzing radiation shielding for a medical facility, or reviewing safety analyses for a nuclear power plant. You use specialized software like MCNP, SCALE, and RELAP for reactor physics and thermal-hydraulics calculations. The work is heavily regulated, so you spend significant time on documentation, safety reviews, and compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements. Projects can be massive in scope, spanning decades from initial design through construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning. The culture emphasizes safety and precision above all else.
Specializations
Reactor design and analysis focuses on creating and optimizing fission reactors, including the emerging generation of small modular reactors. Nuclear fusion research works toward harnessing the same energy source as the sun for practical power generation. Health physics and radiation protection ensures that workers, patients, and the public are safe from harmful radiation exposure. Nuclear materials science develops fuels, cladding, and structural materials that can withstand extreme radiation and temperature environments. Nuclear security and nonproliferation applies technology and policy to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Medical physics uses radiation and nuclear techniques for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.
Who's Hiring
The U.S. Navy operates the largest fleet of nuclear reactors in the world and is a major employer of nuclear engineers. Westinghouse and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy design commercial power reactors. The Department of Energy and its national laboratories (Oak Ridge, Idaho, Los Alamos) employ many nuclear engineers for research and defense work. NuScale Power is developing small modular reactors, Commonwealth Fusion Systems is building compact fusion devices, and TerraPower (founded by Bill Gates) is designing next-generation reactor concepts.
Career Path
Entry-level positions include reactor engineer, nuclear safety analyst, and health physicist. In the Navy nuclear program, junior officers and enlisted operators gain hands-on reactor experience. Mid-career roles include senior reactor engineer, licensing engineer, and criticality safety engineer. Senior positions like chief nuclear officer or technical director carry enormous responsibility for plant safety and operational performance. The field also has strong pathways into regulatory roles at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Licensing and Certification
Nuclear engineers working at commercial power plants must obtain a reactor operator license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which involves extensive training and examination. The PE license is available in nuclear engineering and is valuable for engineers in consulting, safety analysis, and regulatory roles. The FE exam is a good foundation to take after graduation. Many nuclear engineering roles also require security clearances, particularly those involving defense or national laboratory work.
Find out if Nuclear Engineering is right for you
Take our STEM Career Match Quiz to see how Nuclear Engineering aligns with your interests, work style, and values.
Take the Quiz