Nuclear Engineer Internships
Nuclear engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience in reactor systems, nuclear safety, or energy modeling, alongside mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with ENERCON SERVICES, Kiewit Corporation, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems among the employers posting roles now.
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Join the power movement as a Nuclear Engineering Intern
Program Details:
- 13-18 week internship
- 40-50 hours per week with set hourly salary based on year in school
- Opportunities on site in Devens, MA. If an intern is going to be on site, you will be responsible for your own transportation and housing
- Specific project assignments and required technical skillset will vary based on the team’s existing need.
- Opportunities available for currently enrolled college students in all levels of schooling from bachelor’s degree to PhD
- Interns must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer
What you'll do:
- The intern will work on projects such as, but not be limited to: Neutronics analyses such as energy deposition in delicate materials or shielding sensitivity studies for diagnostic design
- They will collaborate with engineers on the Nuclear Engineering team to do neutronics calculations (heating, activation, flux, dose, etc) to support the design and operation of SPARC, the scoping of ARC, and any other nuclear engineering needed
- They will have opportunities to contribute to the computational development of method and workflows needed to support and optimize different types of neutronics analyses
What we’re looking for:
- Pursuing an engineering degree with focus in the field of Nuclear Engineering - required
- Have complete by the start of their internship Neutron Transport or Neutronics or a Reactor Theory course
- Experienced in MCNP or OpenMC
- Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn
- Must work well in a team
- Must be highly self-motivated and driven to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills
- Optional: experienced in CAD and/or Python / C++, Neutronics Methods (Monte Carlo or Deterministic)
Must-have Requirements:
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
- 40 hours of sick time
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer matching (must be 21 years of age to enroll)
- Professional growth opportunities
- Team-building activities
At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.
Join the power movement as a Nuclear Engineering Intern
Program Details:
- 13-18 week internship
- 40-50 hours per week with set hourly salary based on year in school
- Opportunities on site in Devens, MA. If an intern is going to be on site, you will be responsible for your own transportation and housing
- Specific project assignments and required technical skillset will vary based on the team’s existing need.
- Opportunities available for currently enrolled college students in all levels of schooling from bachelor’s degree to PhD
- Interns must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer
What you'll do:
- The intern will work on projects such as, but not be limited to: Neutronics analyses such as energy deposition in delicate materials or shielding sensitivity studies for diagnostic design
- They will collaborate with engineers on the Nuclear Engineering team to do neutronics calculations (heating, activation, flux, dose, etc) to support the design and operation of SPARC, the scoping of ARC, and any other nuclear engineering needed
- They will have opportunities to contribute to the computational development of method and workflows needed to support and optimize different types of neutronics analyses
What we’re looking for:
- Pursuing an engineering degree with focus in the field of Nuclear Engineering - required
- Have complete by the start of their internship Neutron Transport or Neutronics or a Reactor Theory course
- Experienced in MCNP or OpenMC
- Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn
- Must work well in a team
- Must be highly self-motivated and driven to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills
- Optional: experienced in CAD and/or Python / C++, Neutronics Methods (Monte Carlo or Deterministic)
Must-have Requirements:
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
- 40 hours of sick time
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer matching (must be 21 years of age to enroll)
- Professional growth opportunities
- Team-building activities
At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.
Nuclear Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- ENERCON SERVICES10
- Kiewit Corporation1
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems1
- Arizona Public Service (APS)1
- Westinghouse Electric Company1
Tips for Your Nuclear Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large employers, including national laboratories, defense contractors, and nuclear utilities, open summer intern applications as early as September. Waiting until spring means the structured cohort programs are already closed. Set a reminder to start searching at the beginning of fall semester and submit your strongest applications first.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Nuclear engineer intern recruiters expect limited work history, so your portfolio does the work your resume can't. Document two or three projects with the tools used, such as MCNP, RELAP, or MATLAB, and link to simulation write-ups, safety analyses, or design reports. A linked portfolio gives reviewers something concrete to evaluate beyond coursework grades.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, since many nuclear engineering employers recruit off-campus and don't appear at every university fair.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Nuclear engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering thermodynamics, reactor physics, or materials concepts, plus problem-solving scenarios. Practice answering out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, not just arriving at an answer. Interviewers weigh how you think through an unfamiliar problem as much as whether you reach the correct result.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Larger employers in nuclear energy and defense run rotational or university-hire programs built to train people new to the field. These cohort programs recruit in the fall, fill fast, and give broader exposure across reactor operations, safety, and regulatory work. Identify the ones that match your background and apply in the first wave, not after the spring rush.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the nuclear engineer internships listed here. Many nuclear engineering placements require facility access and cannot be done remotely. Decide what you can commit to before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so every role you spend time on is one you can actually take.
Nuclear Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a nuclear engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented project portfolio showing reactor analysis, radiation shielding calculations, or simulation work. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a nuclear engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for nuclear engineer interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by delivering on your assigned work and asking about full-time opportunities before the internship ends, without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for nuclear engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, including national laboratories and major utilities, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with application windows often opening in September and October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly from early fall gives you the widest window.
Are nuclear engineer internships paid?
Most professional nuclear engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry sector, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing shows it. Positions at national laboratories, utilities, and defense contractors tend to follow structured compensation bands, while smaller firms vary more widely.
What should a nuclear engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools and software used, such as MCNP, RELAP, or MATLAB, and link to published analyses, simulation write-ups, or design documentation wherever possible. Add relevant coursework in nuclear physics, thermodynamics, or reactor theory. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote nuclear engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the nuclear engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts tend to fill fast because they attract a wider applicant pool, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a nuclear engineer rotational internship?
Rotational internship programs cycle interns through two or more business units, such as reactor operations, safety analysis, and regulatory affairs, over a single placement. They are designed for people new to the field and give broader exposure than a single-team placement. These programs are competitive, recruit early in the fall cycle, and fill their cohorts quickly, so identify them and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get nuclear engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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