Nuclear Engineer is one of the most important professionals in the field of nuclear energy creation. He can work in various capacities in a nuclear reactor set up and various other organizations dealing with nuclear materials.
Nuclear engineers are very efficient, creative, analytical individuals who develop and monitor nuclear energy and radiation in power plants and reactors. Their job description includes monitoring system performance data like pressures, hydraulic flows, temperatures, etc. and safely and quickly shut down the reactor as and when the situation demands.
Rapidly depleting conventional sources of energy and the emergence of nuclear energy as an alternate source of energy in the near future, it has created vast opportunities in the nuclear energy field. With plans in place to build new nuclear power plants to cater to ever-increasing energy requirements all over the country, there seems to be plenty of jobs for Nuclear Engineers and another professional in the field. This has led to an increase in the importance of Nuclear Engineering Professionals. These professionals are responsible for the design and maintenance of nuclear plants and the development of nuclear processes for converting raw materials to usable energy.
Nuclear Engineers combine their knowledge of Nuclear Physics and Engineering for the production of Energy as well as various other by-products.
But to become a Nuclear Engineer is a very challenging part as there is absolutely zero tolerance for error in the Nuclear Industry. A small human error may play havoc on hundreds of people and can even spoil the environment forever.
Nuclear Engineer Eligibility
The Engineering aspirant has to opt for Science Subjects in 10+2 followed by the admission in the Degree Engineering College.
1. Educational Qualification.
To be eligible for joining a Bachelor’s in Nuclear Engineering or related course like Mechanical Engineering etc. one should be 10+2 Class pass or appeared in a Non-Medical stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects with a minimum of 60% marks in PCM for most of the prestigious colleges.
Nuclear Engineer Required Skills
- Nuclear Engineers should have discipline, patience, commitment to excel in their respective field and self-confidence. If you have all these qualities in you then be ready to compete in some of the highly rated competitive exams to enter world-class engineering institutes to refine your skills to be able to deliver hundred per cent while dealing with Nuclear materials.
- They also possess an interest in science and technology; problem-solving and analytical skills; good planning and organisational ability.
- They required having excellent mathematical and computer skills; the ability to manage projects, budgets and people; good spoken and written communication skills.
- They must have the ability to work as part of a team and respect for safety and the environment.
How to become a Nuclear Engineer?
For becoming a Nuclear Engineer one has to follow the following given steps.
Step 1
Eligible candidates have to appear in the entrance tests conducted by various state Universities ( like PU, KU, Delhi University etc) of the state, Central Govt Organizations and independent institution (like IIT’s, BITS Pilani etc) present at various places in the India. Candidate get admission into these colleges for four-year degree Programme according to their merit in the examination taken and a stream of their interest as selected by them.
Step 2
After successful completion degree course and completion of the required training, the candidate is ready to join Government, Semi Government or Privates sector as Assistant nuclear Engineer.
As another option one can opt of higher qualification as Master in Nuclear Engineering or related subjects followed by PhD Nuclear Engineering and can go for research work or for academics. It all depends upon once priorities in their life.
Nuclear Engineer Job Description
Nuclear Engineers investigate and create the processes, systems, and instruments that are used to obtain benefits from radiation and nuclear energy. Their job description also includes planning, developing, observing, and operating nuclear plants that produce nuclear power. They can also work on the manufacturing, handling, and use of nuclear fuel. Some create procedures to minimize radiation exposure by workers. Nuclear Engineer are also concerned with the safest way to eliminate waste generated from the production of nuclear energy.
Nuclear Engineers can also specialize in finding medical and industrial uses for radioactive substances, other focus on creating nuclear power sources for spacecraft or naval vessels.
Nuclear Engineer Career Prospects
Career prospects for Nuclear Engineers are quite bright as there are so many new nuclear power plants coming up in various parts of the country. Besides they can also get employment in various laboratory and research centres working in the field of nuclear medicine.
Nuclear Engineer Salary
Nuclear Engineer with a degree in the private sector can get anywhere near Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000 as a starter and can go anywhere as high as Rs. 1,00,000 per month with experience and ability in their organization. Whereas in public sector like in Nuclear Power Plants and Research and Analysis wing of Government they are suitably compensated for little lesser pay packages by other perks and allowances in addition to housing facilities, medical expenses as well as free/concessional air passages for their immediate family members and dependents (as LTC) above all the status attached with the Government sector posts.
