Nuclear engineer | Selby College
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Nuclear engineer

Nuclear engineers are responsible for the safe running of nuclear power stations.

Potential salary

£24,000 to £70,000

Employment by 2024

+2.64%

Working hours

39 to 41 a week

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of physics
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • design skills and knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • designing and building new plants and equipment
  • monitoring and measuring radiation levels
  • carrying out maintenance work
  • making sure that the plant structure meets legal requirements
  • being responsible for security and safety
  • supervising power station technicians
  • planning safe methods of nuclear waste disposal

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

You could work at a power station, in a laboratory, in an office or in a control room.

You could move into research, or university teaching. You could also work freelance.

You can find details about careers in the the nuclear industry through Cogent.

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