A nuclear engineer assesses the operation of a reactor and its power generating unit.
Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear energy and radiation.
They design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear power plants used to generate electricity and power Navy ships. For example, they may work on the nuclear fuel cycle the production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel and the safe disposal of waste produced by nuclear energy or on fusion energy. Nearly half of all federally employed nuclear engineers were civilian employees of the Navy, about one-third worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and most of the rest worked for the Department of Energy or the Tennessee Valley Authority. Most nonfederally employed nuclear engineers worked for public utilities or engineering consulting companies. Some worked for defense manufacturers or manufacturers of nuclear power equipment.