To be eligible to enlist in the U.S. Navy, candidates must be between the ages of 18-34 The most powerful energy sources in the world need the most powerful minds behind them. As a Nuclear Reactors Engineer, youll be responsible for researching, designing, maintaining, operating and regulating the nuclear reactors and power plants that drive the most advanced fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers on Earth. Here, you can fuel a passion for problem-solving by defining and redefining the cutting edge of nuclear propulsion, while setting the standard in nuclear reactor research and regulation.
RESPONSIBILITIES Naval Reactors Engineers have oversight of the Navy's entire fleet of nuclear-powered ships as well as shore-based prototypes and nuclear propulsion support facilities for Americas Navy. The wide array of technical areas involved in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program include:
Reactor and fluid systems design
Reactor physics
Materials development
Component design such as steam generators, pumps and valves
Instrumentation and control of reactor, steam and electric plants
Testing and quality control
Shielding
Chemistry and radiological controls
As a Navy Reactors Engineer stationed at Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, D.C., you will provide technical oversight while managing projects ranging from reactor design to fleet operations to de-fueling and decommissioning warships.
PAY AND BENEFITS From the day you start, youll receive:
Competitive salary
Free health insurance
Free housing
A retirement plan
30 days paid vacation per year
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES In addition to the best-in-class training and state-of-the-art facilities, current undergrad students who meet the prerequisite background will also get the chance to get paid while finishing school through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program. Students in majors like mathematics, engineering, physics and chemistry may receive preferred acceptance into the program.
If accepted into the NUPOC program as an aspiring Naval Reactors Engineer, you can:
Receive a salary in excess of $4,000 per month for up to 18 months prior to your college graduation
Receive an immediate one-time sign-on bonus of $15,000
Enjoy military health care benefits while you are a student in the program
Postgraduate Education Opportunities As a Naval Reactors Engineer, once youre out of school youll have a position waiting as a respected professional and Officer affiliated with the most accomplished nuclear program on earth. Beyond undergraduate and formal Navy training and education, you can pursue additional graduate education through the following:
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Navy Tuition Assistance Program
Completing Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) at one of the various service colleges
Using Tuition Assistance to attend online or in-person graduate programs during shore assignments.
Navy College Program
VOLED Assistance Center
VOLED Region Advisors
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
Navy War College (NWC)
USAF Air University Air Command and Staff College
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
U.S. citizen between the ages of 19 and 29. Exceptions may be possible up to age 40.
Graduate or current student pursuing a B.A., B.S. or M.S. (preferably major in mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry or other technical areas).
Those still in school may apply as early as 18 months from completion of an undergraduate degree for Naval Reactors Engineers.
Applicants may also join the NUPOC program as early as 12 months from completion of a master's degree.
Additional academic requirements include:
Completed one academic year of calculus
Completed one academic year of calculus-based physics
A competitive GPA and a minimum grade of "B" in all technical courses
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether youre currently serving, whether youve served before or whether youve never served before.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Preliminary training and eventual staff assignments center around Naval Reactors Headquarters at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. At Headquarters, you will be a part of an elite, streamlined staff of roughly 500 people who oversee the entire Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program from cradle to grave.
Even junior-level Naval Reactors Engineers assume responsibility for key technical work in a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, including:
Two Department of Energy laboratories
Two nuclear prototype/training sites
Nearly 100 nuclear-powered ships and submarines
Six shipyards
More than 1,000 firms that support the Naval Reactors Program
Required Preferred Job IndustriesGovernment & Military