Nuclear Engineers use mathematics and science to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work brings commercial applications and scientific discoveries together to meet consumer and social needs. Some nuclear engineers develop new products considering several factors along the way. They may specify functional requirements, design and test components, integrate components to produce a final design and evaluate effectiveness, safety, reliability and cost. Beyond design and development, many nuclear engineers work in maintenance, production or testing. They may supervise production in factories to determine why a component fails or test products to make sure they live up to quality standards. At the supervisory level, nuclear engineers may be in charge of entire projects or major components. Nuclear engineers use computers to produce and analyze designs, simulate and test operation, generate specifications, monitor quality and control efficiency. Nanotechnology is also bringing new principles to the design process for nuclear engineers.
As a nuclear engineer you would work in the nuclear industry, producing energy for business and domestic use. The nuclear industry supplies electricity to the UK through nuclear power plants. As a nuclear engineer your job would be to help maintain and develop these plants and the electricity supply.
Your duties could include:
designing and building new plants and equipment
monitoring and measuring radiation levels
carrying out maintenance work
making sure that the plant structure complies with legislation
being responsible for security and safety
supervising power station technicians
Planning safe methods of disposing of nuclear waste.
Skills required
Required Education
Most entry-level nuclear engineering positions require a bachelor degree, but many advanced research or supervisory jobs are only available to people with a master degree or doctorate. Any engineer who works in the public sector must be licensed by the state. A bachelor degree takes most students four to five years to obtain and master degree or doctorate can take between two to four additional years. The process to obtain a license varies by state, but usually requires engineers to pass a test and work as interns for a certain period. Some courses that students will need to take include engineering analysis, nuclear reactor design, ionizing radiation and nuclear reactor engineering.
Skills Required
Nuclear engineers need to be detail-oriented and able to solve problems independently. They also need to be able to operate complex machinery and should have a strong mathematics background.
Licensing For Nuclear Engineers
Although licensing requirement can vary by region and by employer, nuclear engineers are generally required to be licensed as professional engineers. Those who become licensed carry the designation of professional engineer. To be licensed as a professional engineer, you generally need to meet the following requirements:
A degree from an accredited Engineering Program
A passing Score on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
Relevant work Experience
A passing score on the Professional Engineering Exam.
Other
To be a nuclear engineer you should have:
An interest in science and technology
Problem-solving and analytical skills
Good planning and organizational ability
Excellent mathematical and computer skills
The ability to manage projects, budgets and people
Good spoken and written communication skills
The ability to work as part of a team
Respect for safety and the environment.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Good opportunities should exist for nuclear engineers because the small number of nuclear engineering graduates is likely to be in rough balance with the number of job openings. Because this is a small occupation, projected job growth will generate few openings; consequently, most openings will result from the need to replace nuclear engineers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force in employment of nuclear engineers is expected through 2010.Due to public concerns over the cost and safety of nuclear power, no commercial nuclear power plants are under construction in the United States. Nevertheless, nuclear engineers will be needed to operate existing plants. In addition, nuclear engineers will be needed to work in defense-related areas, to develop nuclear medical technology, and to improve and enforce waste management and safety standards.
Career and Economic Outlook
Job growth of about 9% is expected from 2012-2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most of the jobs will be research and development positions geared towards creating new nuclear technology and finding safer ways to dispose of nuclear waste. The median salary for nuclear engineers was $104,270 annually in 2012, per the BLS.
Alternative Careers
Civil Engineer
For those interested in designing other types of utilities and infrastructure projects, becoming a civil engineer might be a good option. Civil engineers analyze needs, explore costs and other factors, test construction materials, and design structures such as roads, bridges and water treatment plants. They also manage budgets, supervise surveying procedures and oversee infrastructure repair and replacement work.
Civil engineers are required to possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field, and many have gone on to earn a master's degree. All states require the licensure of certain types of civil engineers, and licensing requirements generally include completing an approved education program and passing exams. The BLS expects job growth of 20% from 2012-2022, resulting in the creation of almost 54,000 new jobs in this engineering field. In 2012, the median salary for civil engineers was $79,340, based on data from the BLS.
Physicist
If exploring the nature of nuclear power and the characteristics of energy and matter sounds intriguing, consider a career as a physicist. Physicists conduct research into areas such as the exploration of space, celestial object development, medical technology, scientific laws and theories of energy creation. They discover new processes and theories that often lead to the development of new types of energy, laser technology, health treatments, communication systems and electronics.
Earnings
Starting salaries for graduates are usually between £20,000 and £25,000 a year.
Experienced engineers can earn between £30,000 and £50,000 or more.
Recruiting Companies
SW6 Associates Ltd-York
Beechwood Recruitment Ltd-Warrington
CCN Recruitment – Glasgowcity
Newcastle Upon Type
Cubiq Recruitment- City of Bristol
Astute Technical Recruitment Ltd- Bexley
Westlakes Recruit- Warrington
Intec UK Ltd-Kent
How do I get there?
Option 1:
Entry is possible without a third level qualification which means jobs are open to graduates from all disciplines, but relevant qualifications are becoming increasingly more in demand by employers. In addition, most employers ask for some previous experience within the Nuclear Field.
To be a Nuclear Engineer you should have:
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Excellent technical knowledge
Good team working skills
The ability to priorities and plan effectively
A high level of computer literacy, particularly computer-aided design
Good commercial awareness
The ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
Good problem-solving skills and a creative approach for new ideas
Postgraduate study
ME in Nuclear Engineering
Specific entry requirements
Previous relevant work experience is often a requirement.
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