Nuclear Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Nuclear Engineer jobs in North Carolina draw steady demand from a state that hosts one of the largest concentrations of operating commercial nuclear reactors in the country, with openings at every level from entry-level technologist through senior principal engineer. The strongest hiring activity is in Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Wilmington area, where employers like Duke Energy, Westinghouse Electric, and the Tennessee Valley Authority maintain a lasting presence. Reactor operations and maintenance, nuclear safety analysis, and fuel cycle engineering are the most consistently sought specialties across North Carolina. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Important Application Submission Information
In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 23, 2026More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.
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Nuclear Engineer I or Nuclear Engineer II - Electrical Procurement
This position description is for an Engineer 1 or Engineer II (Electrical Procurement Engineer) located at the McGuire Nuclear Plant. Although located at the McGuire Nuclear Plant, this is a corporate Nuclear Engineering Department position that supports all Duke Energy nuclear sites. A primary function of this position is to provide support to the Duke Energy Nuclear sites through developing and approving procurement engineering products which include, but are not limited to equivalency evaluations, commercial grade technical evaluations and dedication plans, part safety classification analysis, and reverse engineering, by utilizing the most cost-effective, prudent, and fleet procurement options.
Preferred location is MNS, but CNS and ONS are options as well.
Responsibilities:
- Support the generation of engineering equivalency evaluations and commercial grade dedication packages to address site related maintenance issues.
- Provide cost-effective engineering and testing solutions to improve plant performance and maintain the plant’s safety margins by maintaining and meeting design requirements, coordinating supporting activities, resolving equipment non-conformances, and ensuring the quality of documents provided. Evaluation and selection of the most prudent cost-effective alternatives for procurement consistent with schedules and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain an understanding of engineering principles relating to how an item functions, how it must be tested, and how to interpret the test results.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge/understanding of applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements/guidance/direction (ASME, ANSI, ASTM, IEEE, Code of Federal Regulations, EPRI, NEI, NUREG, etc.) used in the nuclear industry in general, procurement, and QA.
- Provides engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis, testing, and resolution of routine problems in area of expertise.
- Prepares thorough and accurate technical reports, test reports, correspondence, and documentation associated with the resolution of routine engineering and dedication work.
- Possesses knowledge of fundamental engineering and testing concepts, practices, and procedures.
- Develops positive working relationships to effectively coordinate work activities.
- Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
- Maintains accurate records and files.
Basic/Required Qualifications:
Nuclear Engineer I
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program.
- A Master 's degree in Engineering will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
- 0-2 years of engineering experience.
Nuclear Engineer II
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program.
- A Master 's degree in Engineering will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
- 2-4 years of engineering experience.
- Minimum of 1 year of nuclear experience.
Skills and Abilities:
- Understanding of basic engineering and testing theories and principles.
- Understanding of basic practices of engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited program.
- Experience in the nuclear utility industry.
- Post-Bachelor's degree (ex. Masters' or professional school equivalent). Area of Specialization (Master of Engineering).
- Previous on-the-job nuclear Procurement Engineering and/or QA Testing experience (Environmental Qualification, Seismic Qualification/Testing/Analysis, Functional Testing, Dedication Testing, QA, etc.).
- Working knowledge of power plant operations, including mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Working experience with Nuclear Asset Suite (i.e., Portal J, Passport, Asset Suite).
- Successfully completed EPRI Procurement Training Course for Plant Engineering or equivalent training/experience.
- Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of customers in all levels of an organization.
- Demonstrated effective analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to deliver superior results within allocated time through effective prioritization, scheduling, planning and execution of assigned work.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, be a self-starter, exercise flexibility, and take personal responsibility for assigned accountabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing processes, regulations, responsibilities, and work environments.
- Working knowledge and understanding of the QA program and other related documents.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work independently and/or with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated planning and organizational skills.
- Experience reading and interpreting procedures, drawings, specifications, and codes.
- NAS Work Control and CAP experience.
- Previous Work Management experience.
Specific Requirements:
- In lieu of 1 year of nuclear experience, a selected candidate is subject to the oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until the selected candidate becomes fully qualified.
- Able to achieve nuclear site Unescorted Access/Security clearance.
- This position may be required to have Emergency Response Organization (ERO) responsibilities which could include callouts with a defined response time to the site and an on-call duty rotation requiring the employee to be Fit for Duty.
- Required to wear personal protective equipment (hardhat, safety glasses, fall protection, etc.) as needed.
- Office and plant environments.
- Additional hours expected as workload/business need requires.
- Occasional overnight travel.
Travel Requirements
- 5-15%
Travel Requirements
5-15%Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
YesRepresented/Union Position
NoVisa Sponsored Position
No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.
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See All 33 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Nuclear Engineer JobsNuclear Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Nuclear Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy19

- S&ME4

- Hatch2

- GE Vernova2

- Zachry2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in nuclear engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a closely related physical science or engineering discipline
- Professional Engineer licensure issued or recognized in North Carolina for senior or independent roles
- Experience with reactor operations, nuclear safety analysis, or fuel cycle engineering systems
- Active or eligibility for a Nuclear Regulatory Commission operator or reactor license where required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance or site unescorted access authorization
- Proficiency with thermal-hydraulics, radiation shielding, or reactor physics calculation software
Nuclear Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a nuclear engineer in North Carolina?
You become a nuclear engineer in North Carolina by earning a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related engineering field, then pursuing licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Professional Engineering exams. Many roles at commercial plants also require site-specific training and unescorted access authorization under Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements. Senior and independent-practice positions require a North Carolina Professional Engineer stamp.
How much do nuclear engineers make in North Carolina?
Nuclear engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $131,850 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $96,300 for the lowest 10% to over $166,200 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire nuclear engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring nuclear engineers in North Carolina right now include Sargent & Lundy, S&ME, and Hatch, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's large fleet of operating commercial reactors creates sustained demand at utilities and their contracted engineering and maintenance service firms throughout the state.
Which North Carolina cities have the most nuclear engineer jobs?
The cities with the most nuclear engineer openings in North Carolina are Charlotte, Cary, and Raleigh. Charlotte leads because Duke Energy's corporate headquarters and several of its operating reactor sites are in or near the metro, while Raleigh draws demand from engineering services firms and state agency work, and the Wilmington area reflects the presence of major plant sites along the Cape Fear River corridor.
Are there remote nuclear engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. About 75% of nuclear engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, because most nuclear engineering work requires direct access to reactor facilities, control rooms, or radiologically controlled areas. The roles most likely to allow remote or hybrid arrangements are nuclear safety analysis, licensing document preparation, and regulatory affairs positions that do not require hands-on plant presence.
How can I get hired as a nuclear engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate rotational or associate engineer programs at North Carolina's major nuclear utilities, particularly Duke Energy, which recruits from engineering programs at North Carolina State University and nearby institutions. Entry-level roles in reactor operations support, radiation protection, and outage planning regularly open to candidates without full experience. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and earning an internship or co-op at a North Carolina plant site gives candidates a clear competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to nuclear engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to nuclear engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current North Carolina openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one from the listing.
See All 33 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
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