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.
Find Nuclear Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 47+ Nuclear Engineer jobs
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Nuclear Licensing Engineer Subject Matter Expert to support nuclear regulatory and licensing activities for a major commercial nuclear organization.
This is a long-term opportunity for a seasoned licensing professional who can work independently, provide expert regulatory guidance, and support complex licensing and compliance matters.
What You’ll Do
- Provide SME-level support for nuclear licensing and regulatory compliance
- Support Technical Specification compliance, operability, and reportability
- Provide licensing support related to NRC inspections
- Develop and review high-quality regulatory and licensing documentation
- Support external regulatory interfaces affecting licensing and compliance
- Resolve complex nuclear regulatory issues with limited supervision
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior Regulatory Affairs professionals
What We’re Looking For
Required:
- 15+ years of nuclear licensing experience
- Extensive commercial nuclear power regulatory/licensing experience
- Strong knowledge of Technical Specifications, operability, reportability, and NRC regulatory requirements
- Demonstrated ability to function as an independent Licensing SME
Highly Preferred:
- Experience developing or supporting power uprate licensing documentation
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- 2+ year contract
- Senior-level, high-impact nuclear licensing work
- Opportunity to serve as a true subject matter expert
- Per diem available for eligible candidates
If you have deep commercial nuclear licensing experience and are looking for a long-term opportunity where your regulatory expertise will be highly valued, apply today.
Pay: $108.00 - $110.00 per hour
Experience:
- Nuclear Licensing: 10 years (Preferred)
- Supporting NRC inspections : 10 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Nuclear Licensing Engineer Subject Matter Expert to support nuclear regulatory and licensing activities for a major commercial nuclear organization.
This is a long-term opportunity for a seasoned licensing professional who can work independently, provide expert regulatory guidance, and support complex licensing and compliance matters.
What You’ll Do
- Provide SME-level support for nuclear licensing and regulatory compliance
- Support Technical Specification compliance, operability, and reportability
- Provide licensing support related to NRC inspections
- Develop and review high-quality regulatory and licensing documentation
- Support external regulatory interfaces affecting licensing and compliance
- Resolve complex nuclear regulatory issues with limited supervision
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior Regulatory Affairs professionals
What We’re Looking For
Required:
- 15+ years of nuclear licensing experience
- Extensive commercial nuclear power regulatory/licensing experience
- Strong knowledge of Technical Specifications, operability, reportability, and NRC regulatory requirements
- Demonstrated ability to function as an independent Licensing SME
Highly Preferred:
- Experience developing or supporting power uprate licensing documentation
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- 2+ year contract
- Senior-level, high-impact nuclear licensing work
- Opportunity to serve as a true subject matter expert
- Per diem available for eligible candidates
If you have deep commercial nuclear licensing experience and are looking for a long-term opportunity where your regulatory expertise will be highly valued, apply today.
Pay: $108.00 - $110.00 per hour
Experience:
- Nuclear Licensing: 10 years (Preferred)
- Supporting NRC inspections : 10 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 47 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 & Lundy27
- S&ME4
- Flowserve4
- Hatch2
- GE Vernova2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
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 Flowserve, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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 89% of nuclear engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of October 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 47 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
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