Nuclear Engineer

What a Nuclear Engineer Does

Nuclear engineers use nuclear energy and atomic atomic physics to create power, nuclear weapons, nuclear technology, radiation and other products and benefits. In addition to designing, creating and containing these products, nuclear engineers must also be responsible for handling and safely disposing of the nuclear and radioactive waste that results. Many important industries in the United States and the world depend on nuclear engineers to find solutions and better alternatives to their current systems and products, including health care, the energy industry, the military, and the U.S. government. For these industries, nuclear engineers design and create medical radiation imaging tools, radiation therapy, nuclear power plants, nuclear fuels, neuron detectors, nuclear weapons, and more. They work in labs and offices, and depending on their specialty, may make site visits to power plants and other facilities using nuclear power. Some jobs in nuclear engineering might be dangerous, and adhering to the correct safety guidelines is extremely important.

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer

You will need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering to become a nuclear engineer. Look for undergraduate programs that specialize in nuclear engineering and are accredited by the ABET. Because the field is so technical and research-oriented, it is more worthwhile to get a graduate degree in this specialization than in some other areas of engineering. Programs around the country are offered in nuclear engineering, engineering physics, aerospace and nuclear engineering, radiological engineering, and related sub-disciplines. You will need to take courses in mathematics, physics, and the natural sciences. Depending on your employer, you may need to become licensed. First, you will take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and then after enough work experience, you can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. After becoming a Professional Engineer (PE) you can become a contractor and also be certified to work directly with the public.

Career Outlook for Nuclear Engineers

In 2008, nuclear engineers accounted for about 16,900 out of 1.6 million total engineering jobs in the United States. They worked for governmental agencies, the health care industry, research groups, and more. Overall, the outlook for engineering jobs is good, and nuclear engineering is one of the fastest-growing fields within the industry. Nuclear engineers will see an 11% increase in job growth, which is comparable to the national average for all other occupations. This is due to continued interest in developing medical technology, experimenting with alternative energy, and taking care of radioactive and nuclear waste. About 1,900 new jobs will be added to nuclear engineering through 2018. The median annual salary for nuclear engineers in 2008 was $97,080, with the middle 50% earning between $82,540 and $115,170. The average starting salary for a nuclear engineer with a bachelor's degree was $61,610, which was the 5th highest compared with all other engineering jobs.