Nuclear engineer

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

Potential salary: £28,000 starter to £58,000 experienced per year
Typical hours: 39 to 41 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts.
Career area: Engineering
Where they might work: 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.
A typical task: design and build new nuclear plants and equipment
Subjects that may help: 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
Typical route: You can do a degree in a subject like:
Interest area used here: Asking questions and research, Making, fixing and working outdoors

Career actions

What you might do

More tasks (4)

work on nuclear propulsions systems for ships and submarines
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

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

More skills

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 could also do a postgraduate course if your first degree is in a relevant subject.
You'll usually need:
2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
equivalent entry requirements
student finance for fees and living costs
university courses and entry requirements

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Chemical engineering
Alternative route. A possible background. Nuclear roles also recruit from mechanical, physics and specialist nuclear courses.
Energy and renewable energy engineering
Alternative route. Only if nuclear content is actually taught. Do not assume a renewable energy degree covers nuclear.

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.
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
equivalent entry requirements
guide to apprenticeships

Career 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.

pass security checks

2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship