What do nuclear engineers do?

What is a nuclear engineer?

Nuclear engineering is a multidisciplinary field that goes beyond providing nuclear power for electrical production. Nuclear technology touches our lives in many ways and nuclear engineers solve everyday problems and contribute to our health and safety. Nuclear engineers may apply radiation in disease treatment and food supplies, operate nuclear energy systems, develop regulations to ensure safety, or facilitate space exploration.

Where do nuclear engineers work?

Becoming a nuclear engineer gives you the opportunity to help mold the future in exciting new ways. Many nuclear engineering graduates work for electric power companies that use nuclear power plants or help service and maintain these plants. Other graduates go on to work in industries that use radioactivity or radiation, such as medicine, food, and agriculture. These fields need nuclear engineers to detect problems, monitor processes, and protect the public. The federal government also hires nuclear engineers to design next generation reactors for submarines, aircraft carriers, and space probes; regulate nuclear power or radiation uses; and develop advanced technologies that will be used in future power plants. Some of the industries where nuclear engineers may work are:

• Energy
• Government
• Medicine
• Agriculture
• Space