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Science & ResearchISCO 2149

Nuclear engineer

A nuclear engineer is a person who plans and designs the engineering equipment and processes used in nuclear power plants and nuclear facilities, and who develops the solutions that keep the risks in those installations under control. The design work and the risk work are not separable here: a nuclear system is designed around what must not be allowed to happen.

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Check yourself in a minute: nuclear engineer

Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

ensure compliance with environmental legislation

perform risk analysis

adjust engineering designs

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

About nuclear engineer

Engineering comes first. The engineer works from engineering fundamentals and mechanics, designs plant and processes, and calibrates the instruments the installation depends on for precise measurement. Safety engineering is a discipline in its own right and shapes the design rather than being checked against it afterwards.

Radiation defines the constraints. The engineer applies radiation protection and works to the regulations on exposure to contamination. What is routine in another industry, such as opening a system for maintenance, becomes a planned procedure here.

Compliance and analysis carry the rest. The engineer ensures compliance with the safety regulations the installation is licensed under and performs risk analysis on the design and on proposed changes. A modification that improves output while weakening a safety margin is rejected on those grounds.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (27)

contamination exposure regulationscontamination exposure regulationsThe regulations concerning exposure to contaminated materials or a hazardous environment which regulate the actions surrounding risk assessment, minimisation of further exposure, quarantine, and treat...engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.safety engineeringsafety engineeringThe study of the risks associated with engineered designs and systems, accident prevention as well as the safety benefits of reducing deaths and injuries. The discipline focuses on analysing and mitig...technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.nuclear legislationnuclear legislationBe familiar with European, national and international legislation regarding the practice of nuclear activities.nuclear energynuclear energyThe generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam ...civil engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.thermodynamicsthermodynamicsThe branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.metrologymetrologyThe methods and theory of measurement in a scientific context, including internationally accepted units of measurement, practical realisation of these units, and interpretation of measurements.electric generatorselectric generatorsThe principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.mining, construction and civil engineering machinery productsmining, construction and civil engineering machinery productsThe offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.radiation protectionradiation protectionThe measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.nuclear physicsnuclear physicsField of physics in which protons and neutrons and their interactions inside atoms are analysed.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.ensure compliance with safety legislationensure compliance with safety legislationImplement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.develop radiation protection strategiesdevelop radiation protection strategiesDevelop strategies for facilities and organisations which are at risk for exposure to radiation or radioactive substances, such as hospitals and nuclear facilities, for the protection of people within...follow nuclear plant safety precautionsfollow nuclear plant safety precautionsComply with nuclear power plant safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of the public.calibrate precision instrumentcalibrate precision instrumentExamine the precision instruments and assess whether the instrument meets the quality standards and production specifications. Correct and adjust the reliability by measuring output and comparing resu...ensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsMake sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.calculate exposure to radiationcalculate exposure to radiationCalculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Optional (13) — show
electricity consumptionelectricity consumptionThe different factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of electricity consumption in a residence or facility, and methods in which electricity consumption can be lowered or made mo...electrical power safety regulationselectrical power safety regulationsThe compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distri...automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.maintain nuclear reactorsmaintain nuclear reactorsRepair and perform routine maintenance on equipment which controls nuclear chain reactions to generate electricity, ensure that the equipment functions safely and compliant with legislation.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.design power plant systemsdesign power plant systemsModel and plan the conceptual design of the specific systems in a power plant and their main components. The various operation modes of the plant, such as normal, failure, and emergency are included i...ensure equipment coolingensure equipment coolingMake sure the machines and installations are properly supplied with air and coolants in order to prevent overheating and other malfunctions.develop strategies for electricity contingenciesdevelop strategies for electricity contingenciesDevelop and implement strategies which ensure that swift and efficient actions can be taken in the event of a disruption in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electrical energy, such as ...respond to nuclear emergenciesrespond to nuclear emergenciesSet in motion the strategies for reacting in the event of equipment malfunctions, errors, or other events which may lead to contamination and other nuclear emergencies, ensuring that the facility is s...test safety strategiestest safety strategiesTest policies and strategies related to risk and safety management and procedures, such as testing evacuation plans, safety equipment, and carrying out drills.monitor radiation levelsmonitor radiation levelsUse measuring and testing equipment and techniques to identify the levels of radiation or radioactive substances in order to control exposure and minimise health, safety, and environmental risks.design automation componentsdesign automation componentsDesign engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems that contribute to the automation of industrial machines.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

onshore wind energy engineer11 shared essential skillsalternative fuels engineer10 shared essential skillsenvironmental engineer10 shared essential skillsenvironmental mining engineer10 shared essential skillsnuclear reactor operator10 shared essential skillsnuclear technician10 shared essential skillsradiation protection officer10 shared essential skillssubstation engineer10 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a nuclear engineer do?

Nuclear engineers plan and design engineering equipment and processes in nuclear plants and sites. They engage in engineering activities pertaining to nuclear power plants, and develop risk solutions.

What skills does a nuclear engineer need?

A nuclear engineer needs 27 essential skills, including contamination exposure regulations, engineering principles, safety engineering, technical drawings, nuclear legislation.

Will AI replace nuclear engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for nuclear engineer is 73/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: electricity consumption, calculate exposure to radiation, ensure equipment cooling. Most resilient: electric generators, respond to nuclear emergencies, wear appropriate protective gear.

AI Replacement Risk

73/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills27

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