Description
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Interests
- Investigative
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Recognition
- Achievement
- Support
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Analytical Thinking
- Dependability
- Self-Control
Tasks
- Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
Work Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Detailed Work Activities
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Presentation software
- Development environment software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Data base user interface and query software
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
- Category Flexibility
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Science
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Nuclear Facility Licensed OperatorCertifying Organization
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Distributed Generation Certified ProfessionalCertifying Organization
Association of Energy Engineers
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel - X-RayCertifying Organization
American Society for Nondestructive Testing
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Reliability EngineerCertifying Organization
American Society for Quality
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $94,226 |
| Median (50%) | $128,304 |
| High (90%) | $159,692 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $100,153 |
| Mid Level | $115,565 |
| Senior Level | $128,930 |
| Expert Level | $153,044 |
Employability
There are currently 13,400 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 13,300 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -1%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of -1%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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