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

Why I enjoy working abroad as a mechanical engineer in nuclear

I'm Sam – a mechanical engineer usually based in the UK, now working in Ontario, Canada. My contract abroad has opened up new technical experiences, digital innovation opportunities, and a whole new set of hobbies (including ice hockey!). Here's what I've learned about life, work, and nuclear jobs you can travel with.

Why I said yes to working abroad?

What really drew me in was the chance to get a variety of experiences in work, culture, and hobbies. Plus, it all just seemed to fall into place perfectly, making it impossible for me to say no.

Why I enjoy working abroad as a mechanical engineer in nuclear

 

From mechanical engineering to digital innovation

My job here is pretty different from what I was doing in the UK. Being here has given me chances I probably wouldn't have gotten so quickly back home. Now, I'm part of the digital innovations team, which I was always interested in back in the UK but hadn't landed a job in yet.

Learning new skills on the job I can travel with

So far, I have been learning all about different aspects of what the digital innovations team do here. In addition to this, we have all been enrolled on a Candu fundamentals course which covers all the basics of Candu design, this has been a really interesting course to get a high-level overview.

How international nuclear jobs grow your confidence

We've had a lot of first-time experiences outside of work, like watching baseball and American football, spending weekends at a lakeside cottage up north, checking out Niagara Falls, and visiting Montréal for the weekend. I've also taken up new hobbies like sailing, volleyball, softball, and pretty soon, I'll be starting ice hockey!

New people, new projects – and a clear path forward

I think it has been, and will continue to be, great for my career growth. It's helped me meet new people and get exposure to different kinds of work in the industry.

Why I enjoy working abroad as a mechanical engineer in nuclear

 

The toughest part? Being far from home

One of the hardest parts has been adjusting to the different culture and being far from home, friends, and family. It's been challenging, but everyone here is super supportive and friendly.

Good people make great teammates – in any country

People back in the UK have been very supportive with both pastoral and technical support when I have called on them, including people in the UK I had never previously spoken to offering their support. The team out here have been good whenever I have needed support and everyone is more than happy to share their experience.

Stronger UK-Canada connections start here

When I return, I hope to keep the connections to the Candu teams and my knowledge of projects. Aiming to strengthen the connections between the UK and Canada, allowing support and expertise to be easily shared.

If the time is right, take the leap

Definitely! If your personal circumstances and connections to the UK allow for it. I was fortunate not to have many reasons preventing me from doing so. Being away from home can be challenging. That said, there are numerous support systems in place, including options for traveling back home.

Curious about international opportunities like mine? Explore mechanical engineering jobs or nuclear careers at AtkinsRéalis.

Related blogs

Man in a navy blazer and white shirt posing for a professional portrait.

Shaping the future of mobility: My career as a project manager

From aeronautics to a leading role on Québec’s REM project: How Réjean Perreault found purpose as a civil engineer and project manager at AtkinsRéalis.

Card link for Shaping the future of mobility: My career as a project manager
Headshot image of Josée

Behind the scenes at the symphony: My career as a director of operations at Montréal’s leading concert hall

Discover Josée’s career journey from Scenic services manager to Director of Operations at the Maison symphonique de Montréal, where she ensures everything runs in perfect harmony.

Card link for Behind the scenes at the symphony: My career as a director of operations at Montréal’s leading concert hall
Accessibility that empowers: Giridhar’s story at AtkinsRéalis

Greatly and Brightly: Thriving as a woman in engineering

Irene Seo, P.Eng shares her woman in engineering career journey from an early role in civil engineering to a director role with global influence.

Card link for Greatly and Brightly: Thriving as a woman in engineering
Accessibility that empowers: Giridhar’s story at AtkinsRéalis

Building roads and a career: My Journey as a Woman in Civil Engineering

From supervising to leading highway operations: Catherine’s career journey speaks of teamwork, growth, and the value of women in civil engineering.

Card link for Building roads and a career: My Journey as a Woman in Civil Engineering
a man standing on a beach.

Mechanical engineering jobs in nuclear: What it's like starting out.

Here's how I turned two summer placements into a full‑time career in mechanical engineering in nuclear.

Card link for Mechanical engineering jobs in nuclear: What it's like starting out.
Picture of Chinmay sitting on a chair

My early career in the heart of the nuclear renaissance: Chinmay’s journey at AtkinsRéalis

From campus to clean energy innovation — Chinmay’s story captures what it means to start your career at AtkinsRéalis. As a young engineer, he’s helping shape the future of nuclear technology through curiosity, collaboration, and purpose-driven work.

Card link for My early career in the heart of the nuclear renaissance: Chinmay’s journey at AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis carbon training is shaping careers in sustainable engineering

How global carbon training boosts my sustainable leadership at AtkinsRéalis

I joined carbon training for the skills – and left with a whole new perspective on leading across borders.

Card link for How global carbon training boosts my sustainable leadership at AtkinsRéalis
Padraic

Bringing my carbon tool to life with expert global colleagues

Discover how carbon training at AtkinsRéalis helped me grow my expertise and helped create a carbon quantification tool now used across transportation projects.

Card link for Bringing my carbon tool to life with expert global colleagues
Tony

Why Ireland Is the Place to Build Your Engineering Career

Are you ready? How leaders can break past the ceiling, take on bigger roles, and deliver Ireland's most ambitious programmes.

Card link for Why Ireland Is the Place to Build Your Engineering Career
Tackling the carbon challenge: My part in sustainabillity at AtkinsRéalis

Tackling the carbon challenge: My part in sustainabillity at AtkinsRéalis

Imagine leading change, building carbon solutions with our global AtkinsRéalis team.

Card link for Tackling the carbon challenge: My part in sustainabillity at AtkinsRéalis
Careers in Defence: Project Management, Cybersecurity and More

Building a brilliant career in defence

Breaking barriers and building a rewarding career in defence – here's how I did it.

Card link for Building a brilliant career in defence
Kevin

Engineering jobs in Ireland: Build your legacy on major projects

Join AtkinsRéalis Ireland to work on Metrolink, Dublin Airport, Water Supply Project and more. Explore engineering jobs, leadership opportunities, and career growth.

Card link for Engineering jobs in Ireland: Build your legacy on major projects

Related jobs

Senior/Principal Civil Water Engineer
Water Engineering Full time
Senior/Principal Civil Water Engineer

Various locations

Senior Electrical Engineer
Nuclear Engineering Full time
Senior Electrical Engineer

Various locations

Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer - Nuclear
Nuclear Engineering Full time
Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer - Nuclear

Various locations

Nuclear Safety Engineer
Nuclear Engineering Full time
Nuclear Safety Engineer

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

QA Test Manager
Transportation Engineering Full time
QA Test Manager

Various locations

Associate Director Water
Water Engineering Full time
Associate Director Water

Various locations

Assistant Modeller
Water Engineering Full time
Assistant Modeller

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Senior Civil Design Engineer
Transportation Engineering Full time
Senior Civil Design Engineer

Various locations

Senior Highway Design Engineer
Transportation Engineering Full time
Senior Highway Design Engineer

Various locations

Principal Highway Design Engineer
Transportation Engineering Full time
Principal Highway Design Engineer

Various locations

Principal Engineer (Highways & Active Travel)
Transportation Engineering Full time
Principal Engineer (Highways & Active Travel)

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Senior Highway Design Engineer
Transportation Engineering Full time
Senior Highway Design Engineer

Various locations

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.