How to hire a nuclear engineer

How to hire a nuclear engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step nuclear engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a nuclear engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new nuclear engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a nuclear engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a nuclear engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect nuclear engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of nuclear engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Nuclear Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Nuclear Engineer	Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Many of these engineers find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials—for example, in equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment.	$32-70
   Radiation Engineer	Quality/reliability engineers oversee reliability assessment and management of operations that impact products and businesses. The career calls for individuals with speaking, mechanical, writing, and troubleshooting skills, as well as a background in Java... Show more	$35-59
   Principal Engineer	A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe... Show more	$45-85

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Security Clearance
   • Oversight
   • Project Management
   • Safety Analysis
   • DOE
   • DOD
   • Technical Support
   • Radiological
   • Nuclear Reactor
   • Nuclear Safety
   • Naval Nuclear
   • Program Improvements
   • Technical Reports
   • NAVSEA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the implementation of technology for better communicating and displaying radiological data used during emergency response.
   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Perform and document technical evaluations in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59.
   • Provide technical support, resolutions, and oversight during shipboard operations.
   • Conduct technical training on MRI scanners.
   • Interface new equipment into the existing PACS system.

   More nuclear engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your nuclear engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A nuclear engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, nuclear engineers' average salary in virginia is 37% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level nuclear engineers earn 54% less than senior-level nuclear engineers.
   • Certifications. A nuclear engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a nuclear engineer's salary.

   Average nuclear engineer salary

   $99,677yearly

   $47.92 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level nuclear engineer salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average nuclear engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$125,073	$60
   2	Maryland	$117,142	$56
   3	California	$114,426	$55
   4	Idaho	$112,731	$54
   5	Delaware	$109,901	$53
   6	Utah	$106,334	$51
   7	New Mexico	$104,865	$50
   8	New Jersey	$101,982	$49
   9	Vermont	$101,512	$49
   10	Mississippi	$101,459	$49
   11	South Carolina	$100,238	$48
   12	Colorado	$99,500	$48
   13	Washington	$98,666	$47
   14	New York	$96,263	$46
   15	Pennsylvania	$93,230	$45
   16	Missouri	$93,148	$45
   17	Oregon	$92,436	$44
   18	Florida	$91,997	$44
   19	Alabama	$91,962	$44
   20	Texas	$90,093	$43

   Average nuclear engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Baker Hughes	$112,769	$54.22
   2	Battelle	$105,178	$50.57	1
   3	Huntington Ingalls Industries	$104,575	$50.28	5
   4	Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station LLC	$104,575	$50.28
   5	Framatome Technologies Inc	$104,575	$50.28	4
   6	Us Navy	$104,449	$50.22	102
   7	GSE Holding	$102,952	$49.50
   8	Brookhaven National Laboratory	$102,629	$49.34
   9	Strategic Management Partners	$101,392	$48.75	3
   10	Argonne National Laboratory	$101,259	$48.68	3
   11	General Atomics	$100,824	$48.47	3
   12	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	$100,764	$48.44	1
   13	General Electric	$100,094	$48.12
   14	NuTech Energy Resources	$99,701	$47.93
   15	System One	$99,622	$47.90	5
   16	UChicago Argonne	$99,325	$47.75
   17	Oak Ridge National Laboratory	$99,022	$47.61
   18	Kratos Defense & Security Solutions	$97,022	$46.65
   19	Holtec International	$96,865	$46.57	5
   20	Indian Health Service	$96,786	$46.53

4. Writing a nuclear engineer job description

   A job description for a nuclear engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a nuclear engineer job description:

   Nuclear engineer job description example

   Strategic Weapon Systems
   
   Albuquerqe, NM
   
   * ID: 2276-728
   * Full-Time/Regular
   
   Summit Technical Solutions (STS) is seeking a Nuclear Surety Engineer who has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within engineering. This position is located at Kirkland AFB, New Mexico.
   
   * Provide subject matter expertise and program management support to Air Force Nuclear Weapons surety programs across all nuclear sustainment and acquisition programs and systems.
   * Provide engineering program management support ensuring nuclear certification standards are met in accordance with applicable directives.
   * Provide engineering expertise by reviewing/analyzing/coordinating on several certification documents to include Certification Requirements Plans as well as Nuclear Surety Evaluations.
   * Special emphasis on updating policy for emerging technologies.
   * Review and conduct nuclear surety policy tasks and coordinate efforts of technical support personnel, technical writers, and other technicians in the performance developing approved nuclear certification packages for tactical and strategic aircraft systems and strategic missile systems.
   
   Please note - this posting is to fill future positions anticipated within the next 4-8 weeks
   
   Candidates MUST be a United States citizen to qualify for this DoD opening and have at least a Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI
   
   Pay for this mid-level opportunity is negotiable, depending on experience. Negotiations are expected to start between $85k-$95K, however, candidates who's experience and education qualify for SME level classification, can expect to earn substantially more.
   
   Required Skills
   
   Basic Qualifications:
   
   * Secret Clearance
   * BA or BS degree in Engineering
   * Weapons testing experience is preferred
   * Nuclear experience is desirable
   
   Additional Qualifications:
   
   * Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills
   * Possession of excellent analytical and time management skills
   * Experience with engineering
   * Experience with engineering problem-solving
   * Knowledge of basic engineering methods and practices
   * Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within engineering
   * Ability to communicate thoughts and ideas to the team and clients
   
   Required Experience
   
   What makes STS great?
   
   STS is a services-based organization that relies on the exceptional results our workforce delivers to customers every day. We realize that our customers' high regard for our consistently high performance is only possible because of the talents, exceptional work ethic, and commitment of our people. We promote and live by a strong and inclusive company culture that places the focus on customer and employee satisfaction, communication, and respect.
   
   What to expect from STS:
   
   * Competitive total compensation plan, with immediate eligibility for most benefits and a 401(k) plan with matching contributions!
   * A work environment that emphasizes the safety of our workforce
   * An organization that is committed to upholding the highest level of business ethics and workplace conduct
   * A company that supports "paying it forward" with involvement in several deserving organizations and encourages volunteerism in the employee's community
   * Generous paid time-off program that starts on the first day of employment!
   * Tuition and certification cost reimbursement programs for qualifying employees
   
   STS is actively committed to employment of Veterans, whom we regard as one of our Nation's greatest resources. Today, you will find Veterans at every level of our organization, continuing their service to our country by supporting our government contracts and customers. STS is proud of their dedication, work ethic, loyalty, and commitment to duty, and we will continue to promote career opportunities for Veterans who are sincerely deserving of our appreciation.
   
   We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right nuclear engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your nuclear engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit nuclear engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting nuclear engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new nuclear engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect nuclear engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new nuclear engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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