A nuclear engineer assesses the operation of a reactor and its power generating unit.
Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear energy and radiation. They design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear power plants used to generate electricity and power Navy ships. For example, they may work on the nuclear fuel cycle the production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel and the safe disposal of waste produced by nuclear energy or on fusion energy. Some specialize in the development of nuclear weapons; others develop industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials such as equipment to help diagnose and treat medical problems.
Nuclear engineers held about 17,000 jobs in 1992; one-fifth each were in the Federal Government, research and testing services, and utilities. Nearly half of all federally employed nuclear engineers were civilian employees of the Navy, about one-third worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and most of the rest worked for the Department of Energy or the Tennessee Valley Authority. Most nonfederally employed nuclear engineers worked for public utilities or engineering consulting companies. Some worked for defense manufacturers or manufacturers of nuclear power equipment.
Because of concerns over the cost and safety of nuclear power, it is unlikely that any new nuclear power plants will be built by the year 2005. Nevertheless, nuclear engineers will be needed to operate existing plants. In addition, nuclear engineers will be needed to work in defense-related areas and to improve and enforce safety standards. Therefore, employment of nuclear engineers is expected to change little through the year 2005.
Despite the expected absence of employment growth, good opportunities for nuclear engineers should exist because the number of persons graduating with degrees in nuclear engineering is likely to be in rough balance with the number of job openings. Those openings will arise as nuclear engineers transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
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Reprinted with Permission of U. S. Department of Labor