Graduate Nuclear Engineering Jobs

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Helping you find a career in the nuclear engineering industry

Nuclear power provides around 21% of the UK's electricity, so it's big business and requires a skilled workforce to make sure the power is being sourced safely and efficiently.

The nuclear industry is expected to expand drastically in the next few years as many plants are nearing the end of their life-cycle, which means that they will need to be decommissioned and others will be built in order to meet the demand of nuclear power in the UK.

Plans for the new nuclear power stations have already been confirmed and they are expected to create thousands of jobs across the UK.

There are different roles available within nuclear. You could work in one of the new plants as a nuclear engineer, play a role in designing and building a new plant or be part of the decommissioning team that shuts an old plant down.

However, most of these roles will require a science or engineering degree as the work is highly specialised.

A graduate scheme is a great way to learn about the nuclear industry after your degree. You can get a structured introduction that will help to fill in any gaps in your knowledge. It will also provide information into the range of work that is available.

The aging workforce in the nuclear industry means almost a lot of them will be eligible to retire in the next few years. In light of this, the industry is anticipating a skills gap so it's a great time to get your foot in the door.

N Written by Navdeep

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FAQs

Skills & interests required for a career in Nuclear engineering

You typically need a science or engineering degree. There are not a great number of nuclear degrees available; so many companies will offer further in-house training.

You will need to understand engineering and technology, including the theory and practical applications. It's likely you'll be working on complex problems and you must be able to approach these logically and quickly. You'll also need computer skills.

The nature of this work also means that you'll need to be health and safety conscious and act quickly if you notice something is wrong.

Graduate schemes & other typical career progression routes in Nuclear engineering

The typical career progression for a graduate would be a junior engineer, then an engineer and finally reaching a senior engineer or manager with some years of experience. Some choose to move into research or university teaching after some years of working.

How much can graduates earn in Nuclear engineering?

As a graduate nuclear engineer, junior nuclear engineer or technician, you can expect to earn around £20,000-£25,000.

Once you're a fully qualified engineer you can expect to be paid between £30,000-£50,000

Salaries for experienced engineers like Senior nuclear engineers or managers can be up to £80,000.

If you choose to specialise within a different area of nuclear, such as research or project management, the salaries will vary accordingly.

What qualifications do I need for a career in Nuclear engineering?

For a graduate scheme, it's likely you'll need a degree in engineering or science. Similarly, most entry-level jobs in nuclear also require this. The exact academic requirements will vary depending on the employer.

For some roles you'll need to have a master's degree. However, some employers may fund this if you've already got an undergraduate degree. Always check if the companies are willing to pay for any qualifications you may need.

Read more about the Nuclear engineering industry

Nuclear Institute
Nuclear Institute Young Generation Network World Nuclear Association
World Nuclear University European Nuclear Society
NSAN
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board Women in Nuclear
Nuclear Graduates
Nuclear Careers Office for Nuclear Regulation UK Nuclear University Network

Nuclear engineering industry bodies

Nuclear Industry Association

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