Navy Officer Subspecialty · Engineering
5201 Naval Nuclear Engineering
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
Naval Nuclear Engineering officers work on nuclear engineering for propulsion plants aboard nuclear powered ships and submarines. They support reactor plant operations, propulsion integration, maintenance, radiological controls, training, and nuclear safety oversight.
Core Skills
- naval reactor engineering
- nuclear propulsion
- reactor plant operations
- plant systems integration
- radiological controls
- casualty response
- maintenance management
- technical training
- operational readiness assessment
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Python
- C++
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Civilian Career Paths
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Project Management
- Training and Education
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Radiation Safety Officer Certification
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Nuclear Quality Assurance Auditor
Career Growth
- Professional Engineer (PE) License
- Certified Health Physicist (CHP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
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
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Chemical Engineers
- Ship Engineers
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a four-year degree or equivalent experience.
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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