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What Does a Nuclear Power Engineer Do?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A nuclear power engineer works in nuclear power plants or development and research facilities that focus on the use of nuclear power as an energy source. This work can include supervising operations, developing safety protocols, and working on new equipment and designs to increase the safety and efficiency of nuclear power. This type of work can be highly variable and involves working with other staff members and scientists to accomplish common goals of interest and concern.

At a facility actively generating nuclear power, the nuclear power engineer can supervise plant operations, schedules, and activities. The engineer monitors power production and usage, inspects equipment, schedules cleaning and other maintenance, and meets with regulators and other officials. When the plant is subject to inspection for safety, the nuclear power engineer interacts with the inspectors to show them around, answer questions, and address safety concerns.

Nuclear power engineers monitor nuclear reactors from dedicated control centers.
Nuclear power engineers monitor nuclear reactors from dedicated control centers.

This work can also involve meeting with power officials to discuss the load on the plant, as well as activities that might affect a nuclear power plant, like natural disasters, scheduled outages for maintenance, and other events that could create a draw on the power grid. If the plant is not prepared, it could fail to meet consumer demand. Ill-prepared plants without adequate systems in place to address natural disasters and other crises could also be in danger of a reactor meltdown or another hazardous event.

Many modern submarines, such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class, use nuclear power.
Many modern submarines, such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class, use nuclear power.

In research settings, a nuclear power engineer works to develop safer methods for generating nuclear power with higher efficiency and better performance. This can include everything from designing new reactor systems to developing better containment for waste from a plant. This work can involve plants on ships and submarines as well as fixed facilities on land used to generate electricity for the general grid. Research can also involve work with regulatory officials to discuss proposed legislation and make it effective and useful for the power industry.

Nuclear power engineers train for hazardous events, such as the explosion that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986.
Nuclear power engineers train for hazardous events, such as the explosion that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986.

A nuclear power engineer can also work for a government agency as an inspector and investigator. These professionals supervise inspections of nuclear power plants for safety violations or issues that may be of concern, although they may not violate the existing code. They can work with power plants to address these matters, and also submit reports to government agencies to discuss the overall state of the nuclear power industry. This work requires an understanding of nuclear engineering, regulations, and government concerns and priorities, all of which can shape regulatory responses to the nuclear power community.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Nuclear power engineers monitor nuclear reactors from dedicated control centers.
      Nuclear power engineers monitor nuclear reactors from dedicated control centers.
    • Many modern submarines, such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class, use nuclear power.
      By: iruhsa
      Many modern submarines, such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class, use nuclear power.
    • Nuclear power engineers train for hazardous events, such as the explosion that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986.
      By: bptu
      Nuclear power engineers train for hazardous events, such as the explosion that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986.
    • A nuclear power engineer works to increase the safety and efficiency of nuclear power.
      By: Alex Tihonov
      A nuclear power engineer works to increase the safety and efficiency of nuclear power.