Why people become nuclear engineers

Students choose nuclear engineering because it offers meaningful, high-impact careers in clean energy, national security, and health. Not to mention, demand continues to increase for nuclear engineers. At Oregon State University, one of the nation’s top-ranked programs, students gain hands-on experience with a TRIGA research reactor, learn from internationally recognized faculty, and tailor their studies to emerging fields like radiation protection, reactor safety, or materials science. With strong salaries and high demand across national labs, energy companies, and medical facilities, becoming a nuclear engineer opens the door to a powerful future.

Remember, when choosing a nuclear engineering program, be sure to choose one that’s going to set you up for future career success, and provide access to expert mentorship and hands-on learning experiences. 
 

Power the Future

Imagine helping design the next generation of nuclear reactors that produce reliable, carbon-free electricity. Nuclear engineers are leading the charge in creating safe, sustainable energy solutions that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. For example, Oregon State alumna Sabrina Ireland’s work bridges “old technologies with new technologies”  at the Palo Verde Generating Station in Arizona, one of the nation’s largest nuclear plants.

Protect People and the Planet

From developing radiation shielding to managing environmental safety, nuclear engineers play a vital role in keeping people and ecosystems safe. You could work in hospitals, government agencies, or labs ensuring radiation is used responsibly and effectively. Oregon State University alum Elan Somasundaram is doing just that, using AI models for diagnosis and treatment in pediatric radiology.

Innovate with Advanced Materials

Nuclear systems demand materials that can withstand the harshest environments. In this field, you’ll study and design those materials, enabling everything from safer reactors to more effective medical treatments.

Support National Security

Nuclear engineers play a crucial role in ensuring the secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. You could contribute to global safety through careers in nonproliferation, defense, or policy.

Make an Immediate Impact

At Oregon State, you'll get hands-on experience from day one. Whether you’re passionate about clean energy, medical technology, or environmental safety, nuclear engineering offers a clear path to meaningful, high-demand careers.

Examples of nuclear engineering

Nuclear engineers work at the forefront of clean energy, healthcare, national security, and advanced materials. With a degree in nuclear science and engineering from Oregon State, you'll have the skills to pursue a wide variety of impactful careers. Here are just a few of the areas where you could make a difference:

Energy Production

Design and maintain systems that generate carbon-free electricity using nuclear fission. Oregon State graduates work in commercial nuclear power plants and advanced reactor development companies, helping to meet global energy demand with safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

Radiation Protection and Health Physics

Ensure that radiation is used safely in healthcare, research, and industry. For example, Oregon State alumni have gone on to become health physicists in hospitals and national labs, protecting workers and patients while supporting lifesaving medical treatments.

Reactor Operations

Operate and manage research and power reactors. Oregon State’s TRIGA reactor provides students with a rare hands-on experience that prepares them for careers as reactor operators and nuclear system analysts in energy and research facilities. Alumna Madicken Munk went from a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Oregon State to earning graduate degrees at the University of California, Berkeley. She then returned to Oregon State, this time as an assistant professor. Madicken explores computational methods for radiation transport.

National Security and Nonproliferation

Develop and implement technologies to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and detect illicit nuclear materials. Graduates have contributed to nuclear security initiatives at government agencies and defense contractors. Alumna Lily Ranjbar’s work as a graduate student was in Professor Abi Farsoni’s lab, designing, developing, and making radioxenon detection systems for nuclear weapons test monitoring.

Advanced Materials

Design and test materials that can withstand extreme environments inside reactors. With a focus area in nuclear materials, students at Oregon State learn how to improve the safety and efficiency of next-generation reactors through advancements in materials science. For example, grad student Tzu-Yi Chang studies the material property of creep, a type of deformation that increases with time as the material structure changes under mechanical stress and rising temperatures. Because creep reduces the life of nuclear fuel, understanding this phenomenon better could lead to ways to improve the nuclear fuel cycle.

Environmental and Regulatory Oversight

Support public health and environmental protection by monitoring and managing radiation risks. Oregon State alumni are prepared to work in regulatory agencies, ensuring nuclear technologies are used safely and responsibly. Oregon State alumna Julie Bentz has served at the White House under three presidents and has a long career of experience mitigating nuclear hazards.

Computational Modeling and Simulation

Translate theory into practice by harnessing the power of supercomputers and computational methods. Work behind a computer like Kayla Clements, a doctoral student in nuclear engineering, who is developing software to advance neutron transport capabilities.

Nuclear engineering options

At Oregon State, students can customize their degree with these transcript-visible options:

• Reactor Engineering – Explore how to design, analyze, and operate nuclear fission reactors for power, research, and testing. Undergraduate student Iman Stephenson believes nuclear power will be a major factor in the global transition to sustainable energy, and Oregon State prepared her to pursue a career at a power facility, working to make it as available and safe as possible.
• Health Physics – Learn to protect people and the environment from radiation while enabling its use in medicine, energy, and research. Grad student Charlotte Rose chose to stay at Oregon State after earning her Bachelor’s Degree with a goal to work for the International Atomic Energy Agency, which promotes the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• Nuclear Materials – Study how materials behave in extreme environments to ensure the safety and longevity of advanced nuclear systems. Undergraduate student Lucia Gómez Hurtado is passionate about sustainable power generation and participated in Professor Samuel Briggs’ lab, exploring the degradation of materials in nuclear reactor environments.