You could work at a power station, at a research facility or in a laboratory.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Nuclear Technician
Also known as
Nuclear operating technician, radiation protection technician
Become a “hero of science"
These specialist technicians help engineers to safely run nuclear power stations. This area has stacks of great jobs, especially as making clean energy gets more important.
At a glance
What can you expect from this role?
Average salary per year
£24000
Starter
Experienced
£24000
£43000
Typical hours
37 to 42 week
You could work days / nights / weekends on shifts
Flexible working hours?
Need a lab coat?
Not usually!
What to expect
As a nuclear technician, you could:
- install and test new equipment and control systems
- monitor radiation levels at power plants
- find and fix faults
- run regular inspections and safety checks
- work with engineers to produce technical reports for managers
- remove equipment from power stations that have shut down
Possible green job
This job could help the environment.
For a nuclear technician to be a green job, you could:
- install more energy efficient equipment in power plants
- work to reduce levels of waste from reactors
- improve ways to clean up the sites of decommissioned power stations
Working environment
More Information
Career tips
You can find employers in each part of the country on the Nuclear Industry Association jobs map.
Further information
You can get details about working in the the nuclear industry through:
Explore the different ways to get into this role
People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in: nuclear engineering electrical or electronic engineering mechanical engineering…
College
You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to become a nuclear technician. Courses…
Apprenticeship
To become a nuclear technician, you could apply for a place on a Nuclear Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship. You…
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- nuclear engineering
- electrical or electronic engineering
- mechanical engineering
- physics
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
College
You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to become a nuclear technician.
Courses include:
- physics and maths
- mechanical or electrical engineering
- nuclear engineering and science
- engineering maintenance
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
Apprenticeship
To become a nuclear technician, you could apply for a place on a Nuclear Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
You can also start a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship then get further training on the job to work in nuclear facilities.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
Discover the skills you need for this role
People in these types of job possess skills like the ones below.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of physics
- knowledge of public safety and security
- observation and recording skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- analytical thinking skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- pass security checks
You'll usually need a driving licence to get to work outside of public transport hours.
Career progression
Career progression opportunities include
With experience, you could become a:
- maintenance shift supervisor
- radiation safety adviser
- nuclear engineer
You could also use your skills to work in other engineering or power industries.
Alternatively, you might move into nuclear medicine, working with radiological instruments, for instance in hospitals, maintaining radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment.
Related Careers
Those who are typically interested in this role may also like to consider these other opportunities
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Need a Lab Coat?
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