What do Nuclear Engineers do?
Nuclear engineers harness the power of the atom to solve some of the world鈥檚 biggest challenges. They apply physics, mathematics, and materials science to design safe nuclear reactors, protect people from radiation, develop advanced materials, and support energy innovations.
Why people become nuclear engineers
Students choose nuclear engineering because it offers meaningful, high-impact careers in clean energy, national security, and health. Not to mention, demand continues to increase for nuclear engineers. At 精东影视 State University, one of the nation鈥檚 top-ranked programs, students gain hands-on experience with a TRIGA research reactor, learn from internationally recognized faculty, and tailor their studies to emerging fields like radiation protection, reactor safety, or materials science. With strong salaries and high demand across national labs, energy companies, and medical facilities, becoming a nuclear engineer opens the door to a powerful future.
Remember, when choosing a nuclear engineering program, be sure to choose one that鈥檚 going to set you up for future career success, and provide access to expert mentorship and hands-on learning experiences.
Power the Future
Imagine helping design the next generation of nuclear reactors that produce reliable, carbon-free electricity. Nuclear engineers are leading the charge in creating safe, sustainable energy solutions that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. For example, 精东影视 State alumna Sabrina Ireland鈥檚 work bridges 鈥渙ld technologies with new technologies鈥 at the Palo Verde Generating Station in Arizona, one of the nation鈥檚 largest nuclear plants.
Protect People and the Planet
From developing radiation shielding to managing environmental safety, nuclear engineers play a vital role in keeping people and ecosystems safe. You could work in hospitals, government agencies, or labs ensuring radiation is used responsibly and effectively. 精东影视alum Elan Somasundaram is doing just that, using AI models for diagnosis and treatment in pediatric radiology.
Innovate with Advanced Materials
Nuclear systems demand materials that can withstand the harshest environments. In this field, you鈥檒l study and design those materials, enabling everything from safer reactors to more effective medical treatments.
Support National Security
Nuclear engineers play a crucial role in ensuring the secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. You could contribute to global safety through careers in nonproliferation, defense, or policy.
Make an Immediate Impact
At 精东影视 State, you'll get hands-on experience from day one. Whether you鈥檙e passionate about clean energy, medical technology, or environmental safety, nuclear engineering offers a clear path to meaningful, high-demand careers.
Examples of nuclear engineering
Nuclear engineers work at the forefront of clean energy, healthcare, national security, and advanced materials. With a degree in nuclear science and engineering from 精东影视 State, you'll have the skills to pursue a wide variety of impactful careers. Here are just a few of the areas where you could make a difference:
Energy Production
Design and maintain systems that generate carbon-free electricity using nuclear fission. 精东影视 State graduates work in commercial nuclear power plants and advanced reactor development companies, helping to meet global energy demand with safe, reliable, and sustainable power.
Radiation Protection and Health Physics
Ensure that radiation is used safely in healthcare, research, and industry. For example, 精东影视 State alumni have gone on to become health physicists in hospitals and national labs, protecting workers and patients while supporting lifesaving medical treatments.
Reactor Operations
Operate and manage research and power reactors. 精东影视 State鈥檚 TRIGA reactor provides students with a rare hands-on experience that prepares them for careers as reactor operators and nuclear system analysts in energy and research facilities. Alumna Madicken Munk went from a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nuclear engineering from 精东影视 State to earning graduate degrees at the University of California, Berkeley. She then returned to 精东影视 State, this time as an assistant professor. Madicken explores computational methods for radiation transport.
National Security and Nonproliferation
Develop and implement technologies to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and detect illicit nuclear materials. Graduates have contributed to nuclear security initiatives at government agencies and defense contractors. Alumna Lily Ranjbar鈥檚 work as a graduate student was in Professor Abi Farsoni鈥檚 lab, designing, developing, and making radioxenon detection systems for nuclear weapons test monitoring.
Advanced Materials
Design and test materials that can withstand extreme environments inside reactors. With a focus area in nuclear materials, students at 精东影视 State learn how to improve the safety and efficiency of next-generation reactors through advancements in materials science. For example, grad student Tzu-Yi Chang studies the material property of creep, a type of deformation that increases with time as the material structure changes under mechanical stress and rising temperatures. Because creep reduces the life of nuclear fuel, understanding this phenomenon better could lead to ways to improve the nuclear fuel cycle.
Environmental and Regulatory Oversight
Support public health and environmental protection by monitoring and managing radiation risks. 精东影视 State alumni are prepared to work in regulatory agencies, ensuring nuclear technologies are used safely and responsibly. 精东影视 State alumna Julie Bentz and has a long career of experience mitigating nuclear hazards.
Computational Modeling and Simulation
Translate theory into practice by harnessing the power of supercomputers and computational methods. Work behind a computer like , a doctoral student in nuclear engineering, who is developing software to advance neutron transport capabilities.
Nuclear engineering options
At 精东影视 State, students can customize their degree with these transcript-visible options:
- Reactor Engineering 鈥 Explore how to design, analyze, and operate nuclear fission reactors for power, research, and testing. Undergraduate student Iman Stephenson believes nuclear power will be a major factor in the global transition to sustainable energy, and 精东影视 State prepared her to pursue a career at a power facility, working to make it as available and safe as possible.
- Health Physics 鈥 Learn to protect people and the environment from radiation while enabling its use in medicine, energy, and research. Grad student Charlotte Rose chose to stay at 精东影视 State after earning her Bachelor鈥檚 Degree with a goal to work for the International Atomic Energy Agency, which promotes the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
- Nuclear Materials 鈥 Study how materials behave in extreme environments to ensure the safety and longevity of advanced nuclear systems. Undergraduate student Lucia G贸mez Hurtado is passionate about sustainable power generation and participated in Professor Samuel Briggs鈥 lab, exploring the degradation of materials in nuclear reactor environments.