Nuclear Engineers
Medium41.73%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$82,150
Median$125,460
High (90th %)$174,020
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Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
The automation risk for nuclear engineers stands at 41.7%, closely tracking the base risk estimate of 42.5%. This moderately high risk reflects the significant presence of routine and rule-based tasks in the occupation, such as designing and developing nuclear equipment, monitoring nuclear facility operations for regulatory compliance, and initiating plant shutdowns or corrective actions during emergencies. These tasks can often be codified into algorithms or facilitated by advanced control systems and robotics, enabling partial or full automation. Technology has already made inroads in automating control room operations, with AI-driven safety protocols and remote mechanical systems capable of identifying and reacting to faults faster than human operators. As a result, a considerable share of day-to-day responsibilities in nuclear engineering is susceptible to automation, particularly those involving systematic monitoring and compliance enforcement. However, nuclear engineering is also characterized by a core set of highly specialized and innovation-driven tasks that remain resistant to automation. Key responsibilities such as keeping abreast of advances in the nuclear field through technical literature, designing or directing complex research projects, and conducting environmental studies require high levels of critical thinking, creativity, and domain expertise. These activities demand cognitive flexibility and originality—skills not easily replicated by current AI technologies. For instance, conceptualizing and modeling entirely new uses for nuclear energy or evaluating the long-term environmental implications of nuclear technology involve layers of theoretical reasoning, value judgment, and adaptive learning not typically achievable by automated systems. Such resistant tasks are integral to advancing the field and addressing novel, unstructured problems arising in nuclear engineering. A primary bottleneck to further automation of nuclear engineering lies in the relatively high demand for originality, with assessed skill levels at 3.4% and 3.9%. This indicates that while many operational or regulatory tasks might be automated, the profession's core advances depend on the creative application of scientific knowledge and innovative problem-solving. AI and automation systems currently lack the nuanced understanding required for groundbreaking research, hypothesis generation, and the critical evaluation of emerging risks or technologies within intricate regulatory frameworks. Consequently, even as automation continues to augment routine aspects of the occupation, the foundational skills in creativity and original research will persist as key barriers, ensuring ongoing demand for human expertise in nuclear engineering.
Filter by Automatable Status
Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
Partially Automatable
Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
Non-Automatable
Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
Partially Automatable
Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
Partially Automatable
Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
Partially Automatable
Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
Partially Automatable
Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
Partially Automatable
Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
Partially Automatable
Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.
Partially Automatable
Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.
Partially Automatable
Design fuel cycle models or processes to reduce the quantity of radioactive waste generated from nuclear activities.
Partially Automatable
Consult with other scientists to determine parameters of experimentation or suitability of analytical models.
Partially Automatable
Discuss construction project proposals with interested parties, such as vendors, contractors, or nuclear facility review boards.
Partially Automatable
Perform experiments that will provide information about acceptable methods of nuclear material usage, nuclear fuel reclamation, or waste disposal.
Non-Automatable
Conduct environmental studies on topics such as nuclear power generation, nuclear waste disposal, or nuclear weapon deployment.
Partially Automatable
Design or direct nuclear research projects to develop, test, modify, or discover new uses for theoretical models.
Non-Automatable
Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
Partially Automatable
Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.
Partially Automatable
Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
Partially Automatable
Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingLearning StrategiesOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceSystems EvaluationWritingMathematicsScienceActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingGeography
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or Information
Maplesoft MapleMathsoft MathcadGraphics softwareC++BERMUDA nuclear transport computer codesFOLLOW codeINCORE codeMathematical simulation softwareMCNP dose assessment computer codeMERCURE dose assessment computer codesProbabilistic risk assessment PRA softwareQAD shielding computer codeSASSCALE ORIGEN-S point depletion and decay codeScientech Safety MonitorScientech WinNUPRATOTE codeThe MathWorks MATLABPythonOracle JavaUNIXMicrosoft WordSAP softwareSalesforce softwareWord processing softwareSpreadsheet softwareMonte Carlo simulation softwareSoftware development toolsC++BERMUDA nuclear transport computer codesMathsoft MathcadSASMonte Carlo simulation softwareINCORE codeMathematical simulation softwareThe MathWorks MATLABMCNP dose assessment computer codeMERCURE dose assessment computer codesProbabilistic risk assessment PRA softwareQAD shielding computer codeScientech Safety MonitorScientech WinNUPRATOTE codeGraphics softwareLinuxOracle JavaMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareSalesforce softwareMicrosoft AccessUNIXComputer aided design CAD softwareMicrosoft Office softwarePresentation softwareDesktop publishing softwareRelational database softwareMaplesoft MapleSoftware development toolsFOLLOW codeTransient reactor analysis code TRACPythonLinuxWord processing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwareFormula translation/translator FORTRANFormula translation/translator FORTRANSCALE ORIGEN-S point depletion and decay codePresentation softwareDesktop publishing softwareRelational database softwareTransient reactor analysis code TRACANISN dose assessment computer codeANISN dose assessment computer codeDiscrete ordinates DORT dose assessment computer codesDiscrete ordinates DORT dose assessment computer codesMORSE-CG dose assessment computer codeMORSE-CG dose assessment computer codeReactor excursion and release analysis program RELAPReactor excursion and release analysis program RELAPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Access
Geothermal Production Managers
Medium50.68%
Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Medium54.43%
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Medium44.96%
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
Aerospace Engineers
Medium49.06%
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Chemical Engineers
Medium50.90%
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Electrical Engineers
Medium51.39%
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Environmental Engineers
Medium47.36%
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Mechanical Engineers
Medium50.83%
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Fuel Cell Engineers
Medium50.01%
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Medium49.08%
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
Petroleum Engineers
Medium51.23%
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Nanosystems Engineers
Medium47.02%
Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium48.30%
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium51.17%
Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.
Nuclear Technicians
Medium50.70%
Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
Medium55.41%
Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Medium53.14%
Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.
Power Plant Operators
Medium52.63%
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Biomass Plant Technicians
Medium53.51%
Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Medium39.93%
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Medium47.22%
Research causes of fires, determine fire protection methods, and design or recommend materials or equipment such as structural components or fire-detection equipment to assist organizations in safeguarding life and property against fire, explosion, and related hazards.
Physicists
Medium51.27%
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.