(513g) Responding to the Needs of Industry: Nuclear Engineering Division

The nuclear industry needs engineers to maintain and design the future facilities for both power generation and waste cleanup.  Chemical engineers, due to their unique background and training, are highly sought-after resources in the nuclear industry.  Bechtel categorizes engineers as Process/Chemical Engineers, or Nuclear Engineers.  Both work on nuclear industry jobs, but their focus is different.

Process/chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals and bio-chemicals. They design equipment and processes for large-scale chemical manufacturing/cleanup, plan and test methods of manufacturing products and treating byproducts, and supervise production. In BSII, Process/Chemical Engineers are responsible for developing Process Flow Diagrams to include process calculations and producing System Design Descriptions.  They prepare equipment process designs and are responsible engineers in the purchase of process equipment.  Often, they are responsible for engineering studies up to and including pilot scale testing. 

Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. They design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear plants to generate power. They may work on the nuclear fuel cycle—the production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel and the safe disposal of waste produced by the generation of nuclear energy—or on the development of fusion energy. Some specialize in the development of nuclear power sources for naval vessels or spacecraft; others find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials, as in equipment used to diagnose and treat medical problems.  In BSII, Nuclear Engineers develop the calculations associated with nuclear facilities and provide direct support to other engineering disciplines for nuclear related matters.