NUCLEAR ENGINEER (Non-Competitive)
Nuclear Engineer is a non-competitive state civil service title, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the stated education and experience.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $91,628 to $134,900, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Nuclear Engineer appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 4 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $119,886. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (4)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of the Supervising Nuclear Engineer or other higher-level official in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans, develops, and oversees work programs involved in nuclear engineering activities and technical evaluation of safety transportation of nuclear waste/materials and nuclear power generating stations in New Jersey; and does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and oversees development and implementation of a program that provides technical evaluation of nuclear-generating facility design, construction, licensing, operation, and transportation of high-level radioactive materials to ascertain whether design objectives and federal and state safety requirements are being met. Develops and revises criteria, standards, and procedures for evaluating nuclear power plant and transportation operations under normal and accident conditions. Evaluates effectiveness and reliability of nuclear power plant systems, engineered safety features, and other systems important to protecting the public and environment from radiation during normal operations and under accident conditions. Reviews and evaluates industry and federal government reports on safety or environmental impact of nuclear-generating facilities and other nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Provides technical expertise and advice on matters that may affect operation of nuclear power and nuclear fuel cycle in New Jersey related to potential health, radiological risks, and environmental impacts. Provides consultation and assistance to department and other state officials in planning, developing, and implementing nuclear facility emergency plans. Conducts surveys of nuclear facilities to assure all applicable requirements are being met; may make on-site inspections to evaluate adequacy of construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Serves as a member of Nuclear Emergency Response and Non-Nuclear Reactor Emergency Response Teams; responds to nuclear emergencies on a twenty-four (24) hour rotational basis. Reviews license amendments submitted by nuclear power plants in New Jersey; researches amendments related to plant safety, design, and engineering issues; and makes recommendations to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission based on review findings. Confers with state officials, federal government, and local agencies on nuclear power generating station storage, transport of nuclear materials, and nuclear fuel cycle facilities related to potential health, radiological risk, and environmental impacts. Develops and maintains a high-level, statistical database of nuclear waste transportation to monitor nuclear waste shipments and identify transportation trends with potential impact to public safety and the environment. Prepares reports and briefing materials on nuclear power plant operations and emergency response actions by evaluating validity of assumptions made in estimating effectiveness and reliability of nuclear system components to mitigate consequences of various system failures or human operating errors. Develops training programs and provides on-the-job field training to nuclear engineering staff and other department staff with responsibilities related to nuclear power plants, inspections, and shipment activities in New Jersey. Monitors construction and modification of New Jersey nuclear power plants regarding cost, scheduling, and compliance with regulations, and prepares and submits related reports to New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Reviews and analyzes reports and testimony of fault proceeding before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities involving nuclear power plants owned by New Jersey utilities, and prepares related cross examination reports and recommendations. Reviews proposed laws and regulations of the nuclear power industry and those related to public health and safety issues. May prepare technical correspondence. Establishes and maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering; or Physical, Chemical, Environmental, or Radiation Science.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in nuclear reactor operations, design, licensing, or other reactor-related safety programs.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of principle causes, general sources, and environmental effects of nuclear radiation and associated engineering, environmental, and scientific theories and principles. Knowledge of diverse aspects of design, construction, licensing, operation, and decommissioning of light water reactors. Knowledge of techniques, standards, and procedures utilized in evaluating nuclear generating facilities. Knowledge of federal rules and regulations concerning design, construction, and operation of nuclear facilities. Knowledge of fundamental nuclear engineering specialties such as steady state and transient nucleonic, thermal hydraulic response and heat transfer, and fission processes and accompanying radiation, as well as associated mechanical, radiological, and structural design aspects of nuclear facilities. Knowledge of diverse aspects of environmental and safety issues related to nuclear generating facilities and associated fuel cycles. Knowledge of the relationship between all nuclear and environmental engineering systems required to maintain nuclear power plant radioactive effluents and direct radiation within regulatory limits and guidelines during normal and abnormal plant operation, and under severe accident conditions. Knowledge of nuclear emergency response equipment. Ability to understand concepts behind laws, regulations, and standards in the broad field of nuclear energy production (i.e., the nuclear fuel cycle). Ability to recognize and evaluate unique features of nuclear facilities that impact plant safety and reliability, and make responsible recommendations of acceptability as defined by federal and state regulations and accepted engineering practices. Ability to interpret state and departmental administrative rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to nuclear engineering function. Ability to plan and organize work for subordinate engineers. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, counterparts in various federal and state agencies and in the industry sector, professional and non-professional groups and organizations, and general public. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. A Master's degree in the above disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated experience. NOTE: A Doctorate degree in the above disciplines may be substituted for three (3) years of the indicated experience. (This includes a Master's degree and is not in addition.)