Takeover Tracker
31%medium risk

Nuclear Engineers

Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

Higher risk than 46% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

20 tasks analyzed

Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.

Risk: 31.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 3%

Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or that could jeopardize the safety of operations.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 10%

Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 10%

Examine accidents to obtain data that can be used to design preventive measures.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 3%

Direct operating or maintenance activities of operational nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 8%

Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 5%

Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.

Risk: 73.9%AI: 61.68ObservedTime: 5%

Conduct environmental studies related to topics such as nuclear power generation, nuclear waste disposal, or nuclear weapon deployment.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 5%

Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.

Risk: 21.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 5%

Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.

Risk: 75.2%AI: 65ObservedTime: 5%

Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 5%

Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 5%

Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 6%

Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors or power plants or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.

Risk: 39.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 6%

Design or direct nuclear research projects to test or modify theoretical models, develop new theoretical models, or discover new uses for current models.

Risk: 51.1%AI: 60.15ObservedTime: 5%

Design fuel cycle models or processes to reduce the quantity of radioactive waste generated from nuclear activities.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 5%

Consult with other scientists to determine parameters of experimentation or suitability of analytical models.

Risk: 40.0%AI: 62.5ObservedTime: 4%

Perform experiments that will provide information about acceptable methods of nuclear material usage, nuclear fuel reclamation, or waste disposal.

Risk: 39.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 4%

Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 3%

Discuss construction project proposals with interested parties, such as vendors, contractors, or nuclear facility review boards.

Risk: 21.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 3%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Nuclear Engineers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

Courseraintermediate

Machine Learning Specialization

by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI

~10 weeks$49/mo4.9Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Mathematics

Estimated Impact

-7.9pt risk+$8K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Coursera

Creative Writing Specialization

by Wesleyan University

~8 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Writing

Estimated Impact

-5.6pt risk+$8K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Pluralsightadvanced

Design Patterns in C# and .NET

by Pluralsight

20 hours$29/mo4.6
Strengthens resilience: Complex Problem Solving

Estimated Impact

-2.3pt risk+$5K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

-2.1

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Some College4%
Bachelor's Degree85%
Master's Degree4%
Doctoral/Professional Degree7%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None56%
3-6 months4%
6 months - 1 year7%
1-2 years4%
2-4 years19%
4-6 years4%
6-8 years4%
Over 10 years4%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None4%
Up to 1 month8%
1-3 months8%
3-6 months19%
6 months - 1 year15%
1-2 years35%
2-4 years8%
6-8 years4%

Related News

Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation

1 articles

Block Data Scientist Quits Over AI-Driven Layoffs Despite 90% Raise

Naoko Takeda publicly resigned from Block after the company slashed 40% of its staff to pivot toward AI efficiency. She rejected a massive retention bonus, citing survivor's guilt and criticizing leadership's abrupt workforce reductions.

NewsData AI & Jobs5d ago

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis