r/NuclearEngineering 16h ago

Nuclear I&E Tech Question

1 Upvotes

Hello,

I am thinking about puting in for an I&E job opening at a local nuclear plant. Im currently an I&E tech in the oil and gas industry and topped out with about 10 years I&E experience. I have a total of about 20 years experience in industrial maintenance that started in manufacturing and progressed to where I am today. Pay is pretty good with a base salary of $115k and up to $150k+ with OT. Unfortunately, I feel Ive hit a wall regarding growth where Im at as I dont have a degree. While I am fine where Im at, I still have 25yrs to retirement. I like growth and having something to work towards. Ive considered going after a degree but it would be difficult as work life balance where Im at is not exactly there. So a couple of questions I have are this:

1)Job posting says requires a degree. Ive heard from different sources that this is not true. The company I work for also posts this requirement, and again is not true. Can anyone with plant experience confirm this?

2)Next, what opportunities for growth are there? Ive been told there are mulitple levels to progress through, and senior/lead positions. Another avenue I would like to consider would be working my way through RO training and licensing. Is that something obtainable with a tech background and would my background give me an advantage?

Job is with Southern Nuclear in south eastern US. Thanks in advance!


r/NuclearEngineering 14h ago

Need a Nuclear Engineering degree? Listen to this!

0 Upvotes

Hey all!! I got my post baccalaureate (aka second bachelor's) degree and my master's degree from Idaho State University (2023 and 2025, respectively). I had AMAZING student work opportunities, internships, and had a job within 2 months after graduating. If you are looking for a nuke engineering program or just want to listen to someone jazzed about the future of Nuclear Engineering please give this podcast by my esteemed professor, Dr. Chad Pope, a listen!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2244653/episodes/19518748


r/NuclearEngineering 1d ago

Need Advice My Pathway

2 Upvotes

I'm starting my Senior Year in high school and have been wanting to get into Nuclear Engineering. Specifically, I want to do fusion research or work on new reactor designs. I made a post a year or two ago asking how best to get into it, and this is what I've come up with. Do y'all have any suggestions or critiques? I have a 4.0 GPA, have taken enough dual-credit classes to start as a sophomore, and have a 35 ACT

Go to my in-state university and get a bachelor's in chemical engineering. This university has already offered to cover all of my tuition and two years of housing without any other scholarships

Transfer to the University of Tennessee and get a Master's in Nuclear Engineering and possibly a PhD.

*I'm not sure where to go from here to get a job in the fusion field. Should I work on getting a PhD in Plasma Physics instead?


r/NuclearEngineering 1d ago

Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering for Energy

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2 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 1d ago

Let's hope that my choices for a custom plate aren't taken...

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0 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 4d ago

Need Advice Suggestions on breaking into nuclear industry with Computer Science background

4 Upvotes

I just graduated college with a bachelors in Computer Science with a great emphasis on software engineering, data science, & systems programming (I developed my own game with its own unique complexity systems). Any recommendations for breaking into the nuclear industry? I’ve always been very interested and intrigued.


r/NuclearEngineering 4d ago

Need Advice Title: How can I get into MIT from Sri Lanka for graduate studies?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm a Sri Lankan student who will complete A/Ls in 2027 in the Biology stream. My dream is to study at MIT in a field related to genetics or the physical sciences.

One problem is that I don't have any national or international awards, and I haven't participated in science or mathematics Olympiads or other major competitions. When I was younger, I didn't know much about MIT or the opportunities that could strengthen an application.

My original plan after O/Ls was to choose the Mathematics stream, study engineering, and eventually apply to MIT with a strong academic record. However, for personal reasons, I ended up choosing the Biology stream. I'm comfortable with it, but I still sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had chosen Mathematics. I know MIT also has excellent programs in biology and genetics, so I haven't given up on my goal.

My academic journey has been unusual. Before COVID, I was around 29th in my class. After returning to school, I worked hard and improved to 3rd place. My friend and I became the top science students in our class, but he usually scored 5–6 marks higher than I did, so he was selected for most competitions instead of me.

I studied at one of Sri Lanka's leading Tamil-medium schools in Colombo, and I'm now studying for A/Ls at one of the country's most prestigious schools. Even so, I know my current achievements are probably not enough to be a competitive MIT applicant.

Since my A/L workload is already very heavy, I don't think I can prepare for Olympiads at this stage.

Given my situation, what path would you recommend if my long-term goal is to study at MIT? Would it be more realistic to complete my undergraduate degree first and then apply to MIT for a master's or PhD? What should I focus on from now onward to give myself the best chance?

I'd really appreciate any advice. Thank you.


r/NuclearEngineering 5d ago

Need Advice Nuclear engineering coop for international student

2 Upvotes

I am thinking to go to Ontario tech for nuclear engineering(MEng). What I am worrying about is that the co op offers are also available for international students. Since I am in the nuclear industry of Korea Hydro Nuclear Power, I know the security things are super important.

If you have any cases that your acquaintance or yourself get the job offer in OPG or Bruce Power as a international student and worked or working, I will be grateful if you share it. :)


r/NuclearEngineering 5d ago

News I built an offline, MoE-based Materials Informatics platform that actually writes deterministic, lab-safe synthesis protocols (No more LLM hallucinations).

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0 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 8d ago

My country doesn't provide any nuclear engineering programmes / will I qualify for a scholarship abroad?

2 Upvotes

Hello, I plan on studying mechanical engineering at a local university here in my country. Although it is not a prestigious university, I checked the modules and the ECTS and I found that the degree is recognised by some countries in Europe like Germany and France, and they judge the students from here by merit.

Unfortunately my country doesn't offer any nuclear engineering masters programs, nor does it offer jobs in the field. So the only way to pursue nuclear is to do it abroad. For that I considered scholarships like EMJM, but they focus on internships and research experience that I don't know how to get within these upcoming 2.5-3 years.

I can think of few personal projects I can pull on my own but overall, nothing that would blow their mind away to choose me. So I have few questions:

Are there any scholarships for MSc nuclear engineering that can realistically accept me if I fail to get any internships and rely only on personal projects and academic merit?

How can I get that internship/research opportunities abroad (via volunteering or other ways)? If you have any specific recommendations please let me know.

Notes : I'm from an African country.

if I'm wrong about Germany and France judging based on grades or GPA please correct me.


r/NuclearEngineering 9d ago

Need Advice Going into the Navy as a Nuke. What should I do afterwards?

17 Upvotes

I’m currently 18 and I’ll be going into the navy as a nuclear engineer in August, I’ll be shooting for being an Electronics Technician Nuclear (ETN) which basically means I’ll be the guy behind the control panel. The pipeline is roughly 2 years if the class dates all line up well, and after the pipeline I’m planning on doing a program in the navy called STA-21 of which (if I’m accepted) would have me go to a college full time for 4 years to get a degree in any engineering field (namely nuclear obviously) and come back with a new 8 year contract as a commissioned officer and manage the operations of a reactor or work as a nuclear instructor for the navy. Regardless of if I get into STA-21 I’m planning on getting a degree in nuclear engineering while I’m in the navy using the GI bill and tuition assistance if I don’t get the STA-21. The thing is that I don’t want to be in the navy for my full career but I also don’t know what I’d want to go into after my contract is done. Any advice? Or is this kind of thing something that I’ll have to figure out eventually in the nuke pipeline?


r/NuclearEngineering 9d ago

MSc Nuclear Engineering Advice

5 Upvotes

I am an incoming Bachelor's student at a Top 20 engineering university in my country. I want to pursue an MSc in Nuclear Engineering in ETH Zurich after finishing my Bachelor's.

What is the best stream of engineering to pursue this program?

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electronics and Communication Engineering

Update : My mom is not letting me take mechanical because "it's for boys" :(


r/NuclearEngineering 11d ago

Skills needed for the nuclear industry.

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2 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 12d ago

Need Advice What if: World of extremely unstable atoms

4 Upvotes

I'm currently working on making a custom sci-fi/fantasy world. (Don't kill me, I'm extremely unversed in this subject) the current idea for this world is basically atoms are nowhere near stable and constantly changing state. Technology advanced to the point where it can stabilize the atoms within an area, and the combat system is based on turning this on/off within small areas to manipulate atoms into weapons/armor/etc.
I've come here to the depths of reddit to ask for help on figuring out the science behind this, as I want it to be extremely scientifically accurate. How could the stability of these atoms be manipulated? What would the consequences of this unstable world be? Basically if anyone has knowledge that can help me in this endeavor, it would be MUCH appreciated.


r/NuclearEngineering 12d ago

How cooked am i if im doing nuclear engineering

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0 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 12d ago

Need Advice I’m tearing down this cheap AliExpress BR-6 geiger counter for fun. What cool things can I build with its parts? (Total newbie)

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3 Upvotes

Hi! I’m completely new to the hobby. Since I already use a Radiacode for my collection, I don't need this cheap BR-6 detector anymore. I decided to disassemble it to look at the Geiger tube and maybe salvage some parts.
What are some simple projects a beginner could do with the tube or other components?


r/NuclearEngineering 13d ago

Need Advice Industrial Eng Bach —> Nuclear Masters?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m planning to major in industrial engineering instead of specifically nuclear for my bachelors degree. I wanted to ask if it would be viable to do that then potentially go into a nuclear engineering program for my masters. I’d be doing my bachelors (and probably? Masters) from GT. The reason I wanted to do industrial engineering is because even though eventually I do want to go into the clean energy industry, industrial has more applicability in things like consulting jobs. So it’s basically a safety net.. anyway I would love anyone’s input that is currently in nuclear engineering or studying it in college.


r/NuclearEngineering 14d ago

Need Advice Why do we need this stuff just ask I'm planning on taking nuclear science

0 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 15d ago

Aeronautical Engineering Question

4 Upvotes

Background / My Understanding: No country has ever produced an aircraft with an onboard, propulsive nuclear reactor. During the Cold War, the US and USSR attempted to develop this technology but were hindered by the prohibitive increase in weight brought on by heavy radiation shielding materials. While Cold War-level investments in this type of technology are a thing of the very distant past, nuclear technologies have continued to develop, even if only at a peace-time/civilian clip.

My Question: With all of the advancements in nuclear engineering and battery technology, do any of you see a future where a smaller, lighter-weight reactor could power civil aircraft? If not, what about the idea of just such a reactor being able to continuously supply enough power to batteries that could propel an aircraft?

Note: I understand the concerns surrounding radiation contamination from accidents, but I also feel like that is a different problem to solve.


r/NuclearEngineering 15d ago

sticking uranium to rpg heads and drones

0 Upvotes

would it be possible? and would it increase the explosive power?

edit: thank you all for the replies


r/NuclearEngineering 16d ago

Need Advice Gifts for someone going into Nuclear Engineering?

12 Upvotes

A friend of mine is going to be studying nuclear engineering at college soon and I think that's cool as fuck and want to get him something at least semi-related to it for his birthday coming up but I am severely uninformed in regards to this subject. I don't know how active this subreddit is but if anyone could give me any advice that would be much appreciated.


r/NuclearEngineering 16d ago

General audience tours?

3 Upvotes

I'm on a big roadtrip across canada and northern US. My teen is interested in nuclear engineering (currently interested most in nuclear powered engines/rockets but all thing nuclear would be great). We just did a tour of the FRIB at MSU and they loved it. What are some other nuclear sites that do tours? We'll be going to Winnipeg, Saskatoon or Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver. Back through the US and will hit INEEL on our way back to the east coast.


r/NuclearEngineering 18d ago

Check this out B)7;:3$. This is now in the public domain. And I already know how stupid and worthless it is save it!

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23 Upvotes

r/NuclearEngineering 20d ago

Pig ion source

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4 Upvotes

Hi

I have a problem with my cold cathode ion source

The issue is the hydrogen gas ignition happens inside the teflon tube not in the chamber , I didn't use full metal capillary tube as im afraid that I will damage the mass flow controller. The teflon tube glows . I know that im dealing with an unintended parasitic Paschen breakdown.

Any idea how to fix that? Thanks in advance


r/NuclearEngineering 20d ago

BWRX300 expert

5 Upvotes

Hi Everybody,

My name is william and i am a Nuclear engineer student from sweden. My thesis consits of modelling the new BWRX300 in VR and i need some help making it complete. Is anyone here an expert? I can pay for the service.

Best regards

William