Entry Level Nuclear Engineer Jobs
New grad nuclear engineer jobs attract recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a capstone project can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Consulting & Professional Services, Energy, and Manufacturing, with employers like S&ME, Xcel Energy, and Flowserve hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 13+ Entry Level Nuclear Engineer jobs











INTRODUCTION
Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.
At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Xcel Energy is seeking candidates to join our Licensing and Regulatory Affairs department at our Minneapolis, MN (414 office). This paid internship offers a hands-on opportunity to engage in technically rigorous and high-impact work that supports the safe, compliant operation of nuclear facilities.
Interns will collaborate with experienced professionals on projects that require analytical thinking, technical precision, and regulatory insight. This role will contribute to licensing actions, regulatory correspondence, and compliance initiatives that ensure alignment with NRC requirements and support operational excellence.
Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Development of license amendment request from approved standard changes
- Research applicability of proposed license amendment requests
- Regulatory data analytics to assess for internal and industry trends
- Development of process improvements
This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Current student, Sophomore or higher
- Enrolled in an ABET accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Engineering
- Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong reading and writing skills
- Adaptability in a dynamic work environment
As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $21.20 to $24.60 per hour
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 10/15/26
EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
See All 13 Entry Level Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Nuclear Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
- Electronics & Hardware
Entry Level Nuclear Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level nuclear engineer job?
Focus on relevant coursework, reactor lab experience, or internships at national laboratories and power plants. A capstone project demonstrating safety analysis or fuel cycle knowledge helps. Certifications in radiation protection or ANSI standards give early-career candidates an edge. Apply to roles that explicitly list zero to two years of experience as acceptable, and tailor your resume to the specific reactor type or regulatory environment each employer operates in.
Which companies hire entry level nuclear engineers?
Companies hiring entry level nuclear engineers right now include S&ME, Xcel Energy, and Flowserve, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. At this level, hiring comes from a mix of commercial nuclear utilities, federal contractors supporting national laboratories, and defense firms working on naval or advanced reactor programs.
Are there remote entry level nuclear engineer jobs?
Yes, though most nuclear engineering roles are on-site due to the nature of reactor and facility work. About 20% of entry level nuclear engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, typically in areas like regulatory analysis, licensing support, computational modeling, or safety documentation where hands-on plant access is not required daily.
Are these new grad nuclear engineer jobs?
Yes. The entry level nuclear engineer openings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes candidates with zero to two years of experience, counts internships or co-ops toward the requirement, or accepts a strong academic portfolio in place of full-time work history. Look for language like "entry level," "new grad," or "0 to 2 years" in the job description.
Which industries hire the most entry level nuclear engineers?
Entry Level nuclear engineer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Energy, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors drive early-career hiring because they operate licensed facilities, run federally funded research programs, or manage long-term infrastructure projects that require a steady pipeline of junior engineers to support experienced staff.