Navy Officer Subspecialty · Engineering
5200 Nuclear Engineering
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
Nuclear engineering officers apply nuclear engineering to naval propulsion, reactor systems, nuclear safety, and radiation control. They work across reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, plant operations, risk analysis, and technical governance.
Core Skills
- nuclear systems analysis
- reactor physics
- radiation protection
- thermal hydraulics
- nuclear safety
- plant operations
- probabilistic risk assessment
- technical procedure writing
- regulatory compliance
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Python
- C++
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Civilian Career Paths
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Project Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Radiation Safety Officer Certification
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Career Growth
- Professional Engineer (PE) License
- Certified Health Physicist (CHP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Also Common
- Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
What the Work Involves
- Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
Related Occupations
- Nuclear Technicians
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Chemical Engineers
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a four-year degree or equivalent experience.
Similar Specialties
N91T
Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator Trainee
Navy
N41Z
SSN 774 Integrated Low Pressure Electrolyzer Equipment Technician
Navy
N53Z
Low Pressure Electrolyzer (LPE) Maintainer
Navy
N54Z
Automated Electrolytic Oxygen Generator (AEOG) Electrical Maintenance Technician
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832A
Radiac Technician
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MSSE
Marine Safety Specialist Engineer
Coast Guard
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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