Nuclear engineer

Nuclear engineers design and build technology used in areas like power generation, healthcare and defence.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a nuclear engineer, you might:

  • design and build new nuclear plants and equipment
  • monitor radiation levels
  • plan and carry out maintenance work
  • help to decommission old power stations
  • research ways to dispose of nuclear waste
  • design medical equipment that uses nuclear technology
  • work on nuclear propulsions systems for ships and submarines

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a nuclear engineer to be a green job, you could:

  • build power plants to help reduce greenhouse gasses
  • design energy efficient medical scanners and imaging equipment
  • work on research into nuclear fusion that has the potential to produce large amounts of cleaner energy

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work at a power station, in a laboratory, in an office or in a control room.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

With skills and experience, you could become:

  • an operations engineer, managing a technical team during the building and running of a power plant
  • a nuclear inspector, regulating the storage and disposal of radioactive waste
  • a nuclear safety engineer, responsible for making sure all on-site safety requirements are met
  • a clinical engineer, researching ways to improve nuclear medicine used in the treatment of disease

You could also work as a freelance engineering consultant.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of physics
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • design skills and knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Most relevant

  • Physics - Nuclear engineers need a deep understanding of nuclear physics, including how atoms behave, how nuclear fission and fusion work, and how radiation is produced and controlled. This knowledge is essential for designing reactors, monitoring radiation levels, and ensuring safety at power stations.
  • Mathematics - Nuclear engineers use advanced mathematics daily – from calculating radiation doses and energy outputs to modelling how reactor systems behave under different conditions. Algebra, calculus, and statistics are all essential for the design, safety analysis, and operation of nuclear technology.
  • Engineering - Nuclear engineers design and build complex systems such as power plants, medical equipment, and nuclear propulsion systems for submarines. Understanding engineering principles like structural integrity, thermodynamics, and systems design is central to every aspect of the role.
  • Chemistry - Nuclear engineers need to understand how radioactive materials behave chemically, including how nuclear fuel is processed and how waste products can be safely stored or disposed of. Chemistry is also important when working with coolants, corrosion, and the materials used inside reactors.

Also relevant

  • Computer Science - Nuclear engineers use computer simulations to model reactor behaviour, predict how systems respond under stress, and test designs before they are built. Understanding computational modelling and programming helps them work with the specialist software used across the nuclear industry.
  • Design and Technology - Nuclear engineers design equipment and components that must function reliably under extreme conditions. Skills in technical drawing, understanding materials, and working through the design process from concept to prototype are all valuable in this work.
  • Environmental Science - Nuclear engineers research ways to dispose of nuclear waste safely and work on projects to decommission old power stations. Understanding environmental impacts, pollution control, and sustainability helps them minimise the ecological footprint of nuclear operations.
  • Biology - Nuclear engineers who design medical equipment – such as scanners and devices used in cancer treatment – need to understand how radiation interacts with living tissue. This biological knowledge is also important when assessing the health risks of radiation exposure for workers and the public.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a graduate training scheme

You can do a degree in a subject like:

  • nuclear engineering
  • chemical engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • maths
  • physics with nuclear technology
  • materials and nuclear engineering

You can find universities offering nuclear related courses through the Nuclear Institute.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

You may be able to apply for a place on an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Nuclear Reactor Desk Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take around 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

You can start on a 2-year graduate training scheme called Nuclear Graduates, which is run by nuclear industry employers.

On the scheme, you'll receive professional development training in different areas of the nuclear industry.

You'll normally need a degree in a science or engineering subject to apply for a place.

Career tips

You may need to relocate for work, as Britain's nuclear power stations are spread around the country. This includes ones in operation, those being decommissioned and proposed new sites.

You can find employers in each part of the country on the Nuclear Industry Association jobs map.

Further information

You can get details about working in the the nuclear industry through:

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