Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Nuclear Engineer jobs in Illinois are concentrated in a market shaped by one of the largest nuclear power fleets in the country, with demand running from entry-level reactor operators and junior engineers through senior fuel management and safety analysis specialists. The Chicago metropolitan area and communities near Braidwood, Byron, and Quad Cities anchor most of the hiring, with major employers including Constellation Energy, Exelon, and the Argonne National Laboratory maintaining a consistent presence in the state. Roles in reactor operations support, probabilistic risk assessment, and nuclear fuel cycle engineering see the strongest and most sustained demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 42+ Nuclear Engineer jobs
- You will work on challenging assignments that include designing HVAC systems, investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of HVAC engineering issues
-
You will meet with others to develop integrated HVAC systems including the following layouts, both safety and non-safety related:
- Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Systems
- Control room HVAC
- Laboratory HVAC
- Chilled water system design
- Heating system design
- You will perform calculations and develop detailed system design
- You will provide support to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to assure a complete and timely design
- You will develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other engineers by way of S&L's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."
Qualifications:
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Familiarity with heat transfer, thermodynamics principles for the design of HVAC components
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- Related engineering internship or co-op work experience
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training
- 1-3 years of experience or familiarity in the design of HVAC systems
- Familiarity with office and engineering software including AutoCAD and load calculation programs such as TRACE 700 or 3D+
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
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
- You will work on challenging assignments that include designing HVAC systems, investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of HVAC engineering issues
-
You will meet with others to develop integrated HVAC systems including the following layouts, both safety and non-safety related:
- Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Systems
- Control room HVAC
- Laboratory HVAC
- Chilled water system design
- Heating system design
- You will perform calculations and develop detailed system design
- You will provide support to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to assure a complete and timely design
- You will develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other engineers by way of S&L's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."
Qualifications:
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Familiarity with heat transfer, thermodynamics principles for the design of HVAC components
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- Related engineering internship or co-op work experience
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training
- 1-3 years of experience or familiarity in the design of HVAC systems
- Familiarity with office and engineering software including AutoCAD and load calculation programs such as TRACE 700 or 3D+
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
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
See All 42 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Nuclear Engineer JobsNuclear Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Nuclear Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy35
- Burns & McDonnell3
- Infleqtion1
- Argonne National Laboratory1
- KCI Engineering Consultants1
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in nuclear engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Active NRC reactor operator license or Illinois-based facility credential where applicable
- Bachelor's degree or higher in nuclear engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Experience with nuclear safety analysis, reactor physics, or fuel management systems
- Familiarity with NRC regulations, 10 CFR requirements, and nuclear quality assurance programs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance for facility or government laboratory access
- Proficiency with nuclear simulation or modeling tools such as RELAP, MCNP, or similar codes
Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a nuclear engineer in Illinois?
Nuclear engineers in Illinois typically enter through a four-year degree in nuclear engineering or a related field such as mechanical or electrical engineering, followed by employer-specific qualification programs tied to NRC-licensed facilities. Illinois does not separately license nuclear engineers as a profession, but engineers working at nuclear power plants must meet NRC operator or senior reactor operator qualification standards if their role requires it. Many Illinois employers, including national laboratory facilities, also require engineers to complete internal qualification programs before independent work assignments.
How much do nuclear engineers make in Illinois?
Nuclear engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $134,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $102,890 for the lowest 10% to over $171,060 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire nuclear engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring nuclear engineers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, Burns & McDonnell, and Infleqtion, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of operating nuclear plants and the presence of Argonne National Laboratory make it one of the more active states for sustained nuclear engineering employment outside of federal defense programs.
Which Illinois cities have the most nuclear engineer jobs?
The Illinois cities with the most nuclear engineer openings are Chicago, Warrenville, and Lemont. The Chicago area dominates because it serves as the operational and corporate headquarters for major utilities and engineering firms, while communities near Braidwood, Byron, and the Quad Cities region draw openings tied directly to operating reactor sites where on-site engineering staff are required year-round.
Are there remote nuclear engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Nuclear engineering is fundamentally a site-dependent profession, with most roles requiring physical presence at reactor facilities, national laboratories, or licensed operations. About 100% of nuclear engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in regulatory analysis, licensing support, and computational modeling roles where plant access is not required day-to-day.
How can I get hired as a nuclear engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate programs at Illinois's operating nuclear facilities or at Argonne National Laboratory, which regularly brings on junior engineers and student researchers. Constellation Energy and similar large plant operators run structured qualification programs designed to onboard engineers without prior facility experience. Candidates with internships at nuclear or power engineering firms, coursework in reactor physics or radiation protection, or fundamentals-of-engineering certification have a measurable edge over applicants without any nuclear-adjacent background.
Where can I find and apply to nuclear engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to nuclear engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 42 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs