Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Nuclear engineer jobs are open across defense, utilities, national laboratories, and advanced manufacturing, from entry-level to principal and chief engineer, with specializations in reactor design, nuclear safety, and radiation protection. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Piping Engineering & Analysis Synopsis
The Piping Engineering & Analysis discipline performs evaluations for piping systems in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASME B31.1, ASME B31.7, and other codes as applicable to the specific evaluation being performed. The Piping Engineering & Analysis discipline also performs the following specialty topics.
- Vibration monitoring and analysis to evaluate system operational vibrations associated with plant modifications and operating events, and to provide vibration prevention and mitigation solutions and designs.
- Evaluation of hydraulic transients, evaluation of piping systems for thermal stratification effects, operability evaluations, and qualification of piping for hydrodynamic loads.
- Pipe rupture evaluations, evaluation of pipe wall thinning due to flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) or microbiological induced corrosion (MIC), and pipe flaw evaluations.
Position Specific Details
Lead engineers support engineering design projects with the following responsibilities:
- Reviews complex calculations and approves simple calculations. Provides technical guidance to project team members. Ensures that calculations are technically sound and in accordance with project requirements.
- Reviews and approves simple system/structural designs and prepares and reviews complex system/structural designs to ensure completeness, accuracy, quality, constructability, and operability.
- Performs engineering review of drawings. Reviews design input for complex system/structures. Defines client expectations for drawings. Coordinates interface between design and engineering. Actively participates in design reviews to ensure quality, constructability, and operability.
- Prepares and reviews major system, installation, and material specifications. Defines technical and commercial requirements, including scheduling of vendor submittals needed for design input.
- Prepares bid evaluations for complex systems and installation scopes. Participates in bid negotiations with vendors. May evaluate change orders on behalf of the client.
- Prepares and reviews single-discipline, complex reports/studies. Participates in the preparation of multi-discipline reports. Reviews studies and reports to ensure that conclusions are technically sound, cost-effective, and clearly communicated.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Aerospace, or Structural/Civil Engineering, or Physics
- 12 or more years of relevant experience
- Extensive knowledge of ASME B31.1 and ASME B&PV Section III piping codes
- Knowledge of the design, selection, and application of pipe supporting elements
- Working knowledge of commercially available piping products and their application
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Valued but Not Required Skills and Experience:
- The ability to navigate a 3D CAD model
- Experience with AutoPIPE or PIPESTRESS software
- Knowledge of gas dynamics and hydraulic transients
- Knowledge of pipe condition assessment
- Experience with ANSYS Workbench and Mechanical ADP
- You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Piping Engineering & Analysis Synopsis
The Piping Engineering & Analysis discipline performs evaluations for piping systems in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASME B31.1, ASME B31.7, and other codes as applicable to the specific evaluation being performed. The Piping Engineering & Analysis discipline also performs the following specialty topics.
- Vibration monitoring and analysis to evaluate system operational vibrations associated with plant modifications and operating events, and to provide vibration prevention and mitigation solutions and designs.
- Evaluation of hydraulic transients, evaluation of piping systems for thermal stratification effects, operability evaluations, and qualification of piping for hydrodynamic loads.
- Pipe rupture evaluations, evaluation of pipe wall thinning due to flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) or microbiological induced corrosion (MIC), and pipe flaw evaluations.
Position Specific Details
Lead engineers support engineering design projects with the following responsibilities:
- Reviews complex calculations and approves simple calculations. Provides technical guidance to project team members. Ensures that calculations are technically sound and in accordance with project requirements.
- Reviews and approves simple system/structural designs and prepares and reviews complex system/structural designs to ensure completeness, accuracy, quality, constructability, and operability.
- Performs engineering review of drawings. Reviews design input for complex system/structures. Defines client expectations for drawings. Coordinates interface between design and engineering. Actively participates in design reviews to ensure quality, constructability, and operability.
- Prepares and reviews major system, installation, and material specifications. Defines technical and commercial requirements, including scheduling of vendor submittals needed for design input.
- Prepares bid evaluations for complex systems and installation scopes. Participates in bid negotiations with vendors. May evaluate change orders on behalf of the client.
- Prepares and reviews single-discipline, complex reports/studies. Participates in the preparation of multi-discipline reports. Reviews studies and reports to ensure that conclusions are technically sound, cost-effective, and clearly communicated.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Aerospace, or Structural/Civil Engineering, or Physics
- 12 or more years of relevant experience
- Extensive knowledge of ASME B31.1 and ASME B&PV Section III piping codes
- Knowledge of the design, selection, and application of pipe supporting elements
- Working knowledge of commercially available piping products and their application
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Valued but Not Required Skills and Experience:
- The ability to navigate a 3D CAD model
- Experience with AutoPIPE or PIPESTRESS software
- Knowledge of gas dynamics and hydraulic transients
- Knowledge of pipe condition assessment
- Experience with ANSYS Workbench and Mechanical ADP
- You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Nuclear Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Nuclear Engineers
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Find Nuclear Engineer JobsNuclear Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy313
- S&ME16
- Hatch11
- X-Energy7
- GE Vernova7
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services86
- Energy67
- Technology & Software10
- Construction & Real Estate8
- Cybersecurity5
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in nuclear engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in nuclear engineering or closely related field
- Experience with nuclear analysis codes such as MCNP, RELAP, or SCALE
- Knowledge of NRC regulations and nuclear safety standards
- Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. security clearance
- Experience with reactor design, operations, or fuel cycle processes
- Professional Engineer license or Engineer in Training certification preferred
Tips for Your Nuclear Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume for clearance requirements
Many nuclear engineer roles, especially in defense and national labs, require a security clearance. Call out any existing clearance level, even interim or expired, in your resume header. Recruiters screen for this before reviewing technical qualifications.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists nuclear engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight your reactor or facility experience precisely
Vague claims like 'experience with nuclear systems' get ignored. Name the specific reactor type, facility, or code you worked with, such as pressurized water reactors, MCNP, or SCALE. Hiring managers in this field know the difference.
Address the NRC licensing question upfront
If you hold an NRC reactor operator license or have worked under one, say so explicitly on your resume and in your cover letter. It's a differentiator most candidates bury or omit entirely.
Prepare for a multi-round technical interview
Nuclear engineer interviews typically include a live problem-solving round on topics like shielding calculations, criticality safety, or thermal hydraulics. Practice walking through your methodology out loud, not just arriving at the answer.
Negotiate relocation before you accept
A large share of nuclear engineer openings are tied to specific plant sites or lab campuses in regions with a high cost of living. Ask about relocation assistance and temporary housing during the offer stage, not after you sign.
Nuclear Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most nuclear engineers?
The companies hiring the most nuclear engineers right now include Sargent & Lundy, S&ME, and Hatch, with the largest share of openings in Tennessee, Illinois, and North Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Defense contractors, national laboratories, and commercial utilities consistently represent the bulk of open roles.
How many nuclear engineer jobs are remote?
About 74% of nuclear engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which is lower than most engineering disciplines given the hands-on and regulated nature of nuclear work. The roles most likely to offer remote flexibility are in policy analysis, regulatory compliance, and software-based reactor modeling rather than plant operations or safety analysis tied to a specific facility.
How do you become a nuclear engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a closely related field such as mechanical or electrical engineering with a nuclear focus. Most employers require coursework in reactor physics, radiation transport, and thermal hydraulics. Getting hands-on experience through co-ops, internships at a national lab, or a research reactor program significantly strengthens your candidacy. A Professional Engineer license or graduate degree opens additional roles in advanced research and regulatory work.
How do you get hired as a nuclear engineer with little experience?
Entry-level nuclear engineer candidates get traction by emphasizing academic project work on reactor design or criticality safety, any co-op or internship at a utility or national lab, and proficiency with industry analysis codes learned in coursework. Applying to utilities with active new-plant or uprate programs, and to national labs with graduate fellowship pipelines, gives you the best shot when your professional experience is limited.
What does the nuclear engineer interview process look like?
Most nuclear engineer interviews move through a recruiter screen, a technical phone or video round focused on reactor physics or safety analysis fundamentals, and then an onsite or virtual panel with the engineering team. Some employers add a written or live problem-solving exercise covering shielding, criticality, or thermal hydraulic calculations. Roles requiring a security clearance also include a background review process that runs in parallel and can extend the overall timeline.
Where can I find and apply to nuclear engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to nuclear engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, specialization, and location preference, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 519+ Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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