Let’s find your next opportunity​

{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}

{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}

saved
viewed

What do you do as a nuclear engineer?

What is nuclear engineering? 

Nuclear engineering is a discipline that combines principles of physics, materials science, and engineering to harness and manage the powerful energy released through nuclear reactions, with a focus on applications such as electricity generation. 

Our nuclear engineering team at AtkinsRéalis makes it possible for generations to experience the benefits of nuclear. This is a unique opportunity to work with the latest technologies, create cleaner, more sustainable nuclear energy solutions, and progress your career to new heights. 

Learn more about the responsibilities of a nuclear engineer, career paths you can pursue in this discipline, and more. 

What does a nuclear engineer do: Responsibilities

Depending on your specific role or specialization in the nuclear engineering space, your responsibilities and day-to-day tasks will vary but here are some general responsibilities: 

  • Nuclear design - design and improve nuclear reactors, with a primary emphasis on safety, efficiency, and reliability. This includes creating reactor cores, cooling systems, and control mechanisms.
  • Nuclear safety - assess and ensure the safety of nuclear power stations, facilities and operations. They create emergency response plans and are involved in regulatory compliance.
  • Nuclear quality assurance - control the quality of nuclear processes and materials to ensure they meet stringent safety standards. 
  • Nuclear waste management: work on strategies for managing nuclear waste, including the safe storage, transportation, and disposal of radioactive nuclear materials and spent nuclear fuel.
  • Research and Development: Nuclear engineers conduct research to advance nuclear technology, develop new reactor designs, and improve existing ones. They also explore applications of nuclear science in various fields.

Types of nuclear engineers at AtkinsRéalis

Our unique approach is to deliver end-to-end project solutions and support for all types of reactor technologies. 

Our lifecycle expertise is a key element of what sets us apart: we have the breadth of capabilities to deliver results at every stage of a project's lifespan, and the technology and data insights to continually push solutions to the next level. 

This means there are a vast number of career opportunities in this team, including electrical engineering, stress engineering, mechanical engineering, safety and systems engineering, design engineering and more. 

We offer abundant career opportunities and a clear path for progression, allowing our colleagues to continually develop their skills, advance within the nuclear industry, and stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainable energy solutions. 

Is nuclear engineering a good job? 

Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, 197 countries, agreed to try to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C by 2100. To achieve this, scientists said that net zero CO2 emissions should be reached by 2050. This presents a huge opportunity for nuclear engineering professionals.

Our nuclear and clean energy teams are making significant strides towards net-zero targets by ensuring a mix of secure and sustainable energies that can meet our industry and lifestyle demands today and in 30 years' time. 

We help to power our world through exciting new technologies and intelligent cybersecurity systems on projects that vary greatly in size, scope, and scale. 

So, you'll be creating the right safe and resilient systems across nuclear power plants, renewables, decarbonisation development, new builds and energy efficiency.

Explore nuclear engineering careers at AtkinsRéalis today. 

 

Related blogs

Picture of Bhajan, smiling towards the camera

From Aberdeen to Air Quality and Carbon: Bhajan on building a dual role in Environment

Meet Bhajan, an environmental consultant stepping across air quality and carbon, and discover how he’s driving real sustainability impact.

Card link for From Aberdeen to Air Quality and Carbon: Bhajan on building a dual role in Environment

Building generation capacity for the grid we have now

Discover how Bennett Mountain is strengthening Idaho’s grid with 162MW of fast-start capacity designed to respond when people need it most.

Card link for Building generation capacity for the grid we have now

From contaminated land to large-scale groundwater programmes: Erin on 20 years in environmental engineering

After close to two decades in the environmental space, Erin has built a career defined by curiosity, range, and a deep-rooted drive to protect the planet. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Erin is a senior project manager and environmental engineer whose work now spans large hydrogeological and groundwater programmes, a long way from the contaminated sites where she started out.

Card link for From contaminated land to large-scale groundwater programmes: Erin on 20 years in environmental engineering

From fieldwork to leadership in Northern Canada: Alana’s career in environmental remediation

I’m the Team Lead for Northern BC and the Yukon at AtkinsRéalis, and a Senior Project Manager in environmental site remediation. I help tackle complex environmental challenges, and find smarter, more sustainable ways to give new life to contaminated sites.

Card link for From fieldwork to leadership in Northern Canada: Alana’s career in environmental remediation

Saeed : Designing the tools that keep nuclear work safe

Saeed is a Tooling Engineer at Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company, contributing to some of the largest and most technically demanding nuclear refurbishment projects.

Card link for Saeed : Designing the tools that keep nuclear work safe

What makes early careers at AtkinsRéalis different? Peter’s story reveals it.

Explore how Peter’s graduate journey at AtkinsRéalis was shaped by real‑world responsibility, supportive teams, and leadership access, setting the foundation for early career success.

Card link for What makes early careers at AtkinsRéalis different? Peter’s story reveals it.

My first 60 days at AtkinsRéalis – Gahee’s journey into people, culture, and change

From warm welcomes to meaningful impact, Gahee Jeong reflects on her first 60 days at AtkinsRéalis while navigating global HR practices, local leadership, and growth from day one.

Card link for My first 60 days at AtkinsRéalis – Gahee’s journey into people, culture, and change

From day one to driving impact: Haresh on his early journey at AtkinsRéalis

Meet Haresh, driving direction, strengthening delivery, and building global alignment from the very start.

Card link for From day one to driving impact: Haresh on his early journey at AtkinsRéalis
A portrait picture of Bethan on her graduation day

Starting my nuclear engineering journey: Early experiences shaping my career

Meet Bethan and read how she’s building her career as a Graduate Electrical Engineer working on major nuclear projects at AtkinsRéalis.

Card link for Starting my nuclear engineering journey: Early experiences shaping my career
A smiling picture of Remya

Remya on nuclear design, multidisciplinary problem‑solving, and what drives her work

Meet Remya, an EC&I engineer leading nuclear design across global markets and read how variety, flexibility, and multidisciplinary work have shaped her career at AtkinsRéalis .

Card link for Remya on nuclear design, multidisciplinary problem‑solving, and what drives her work
Headshot of Ejike

Ejike on joining as a graduate, leading nuclear projects in Bristol, and why no two days are the same

Meet Ejike, an EC&I engineer who joined AtkinsRéalis as a graduate and now leads complex nuclear projects.

Card link for Ejike on joining as a graduate, leading nuclear projects in Bristol, and why no two days are the same

Spains Hall Estate: What happens when you let beavers solve a flooding problem

Discover how environmental science and natural processes combined to manage flooding in Essex.

Card link for Spains Hall Estate: What happens when you let beavers solve a flooding problem

Related jobs

We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.

group of people talking to each other

Everyone belongs

We empower each individual to shine and contribute to our collective impact. We believe in the power of unique perspectives. It’s how we’re engineering a better future every single day.