Information Technology
Job Description
IT careers in the UK nuclear sector
IT careers in nuclear cover several disciplines. Start with the work you want to do: user support, infrastructure, software, data or cyber security. Business IT and systems supporting plant operations can involve different technical responsibilities and controls.
Typical responsibilities
Support, maintain or develop the systems assigned to your role.
Record issues and changes, test outcomes and keep useful technical documentation.
Work with users, technical colleagues and service owners to resolve problems.
Follow authorised access and change processes and report security concerns.
Entry routes and experience
Choose a discipline and level before comparing requirements. Support roles can have college, apprenticeship, university or work-based routes. A computer science degree is not a universal requirement for every IT vacancy.
Read the employer's access, security, information-handling and change-control requirements. Do not assume experience in office IT authorises work on operational or safety-related systems.
Explore general career routes: IT support technician
Compare salary evidence and employment terms
Plan your next step into nuclear
Interested in Information Technology? Start by comparing your experience with the role's requirements, then choose the next step that fits your situation.
Review Information Technology skills and entry requirements
Need to build a skill? Explore the nuclear training course directory
Check course prerequisites, cost and the provider's current details before booking. Choose training that addresses a specific gap in your target role.
Ready to apply? Explore vacancies on NuclearJobs.org
Still choosing a direction? Find your route into nuclear
Keep exploring: subscribe to Critical Five for nuclear stories, careers and learning
Typical Day At Work
The typical day for an IT professional in the nuclear industry can vary depending on the specific job position and company requirements. However, here is an example of what a typical day might look like:
Review Emails and Messages: The day may start with reviewing emails, messages, and notifications to stay updated on the latest issues, updates, and tasks.
Monitor and Troubleshoot Systems: The IT professional may spend time monitoring and troubleshooting computer systems, network devices, and software applications to ensure they are operating correctly and securely.
Collaborate with Team Members: IT professionals in the nuclear industry often work as part of a team, and they may collaborate with other team members, including engineers, technicians, and project managers, to discuss and address issues or plan new initiatives.
Participate in Meetings: IT professionals may attend meetings with other departments or team members to discuss project status, identify issues, and plan solutions.
Perform System Upgrades and Maintenance: IT professionals may perform routine system upgrades and maintenance tasks, including software upgrades, patch installations, backups, and disaster recovery tests.
Ensure Compliance with Industry Regulations: The IT professional may spend time ensuring that the computer systems and applications they support comply with industry regulations, including security standards, data privacy laws, and safety regulations.
Training and Professional Development: IT professionals may also engage in training and professional development activities, such as attending webinars, taking courses, and earning certifications to stay up to date with the latest technologies, industry regulations, and best practices.
Overall, a typical day for an IT professional in the nuclear industry can involve a mix of technical work, collaboration with team members, and compliance with industry regulations.
Salary
Average Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Varies by role and employer
Contract-specific
Other Responsibilities
Check the requirements of your target role
Choose a discipline and level before comparing requirements. Support roles can have college, apprenticeship, university or work-based routes. A computer science degree is not a universal requirement for every IT vacancy.
Show the systems you have supported or developed, how you diagnosed problems, documented changes and checked results. Explain the limits of your access and how you escalated incidents.
Read the employer's access, security, information-handling and change-control requirements. Do not assume experience in office IT authorises work on operational or safety-related systems.
Check essential and desirable criteria separately, including qualifications, screening, practical experience and any employer-specific authorisation.
Read general career and entry guidance
NI Professionalism Standard in practice
Use three development areas: A — understand the nuclear industry and your contribution; B — work with safety and security in mind; C — take professional responsibility, recognise your limits and keep learning.
Illustrative role example: Explain how systems support nuclear operations; follow access and change controls, report security concerns, and recognise the limits of your authorisation.
Record one example, one gap and one next action in each area. Discuss role-specific competence, training and authorisation with the employer. These examples are development guidance, not an NI assessment or endorsement.
Working Life
Working life as an IT professional in the nuclear industry can vary depending on the specific job position and company requirements. However, here are some general aspects of the working life that you may experience in this role:
Office Work: IT professionals in the nuclear industry typically work in an office environment, where they spend most of their time working on a computer or other technical equipment.
Collaborative Work: IT professionals in the nuclear industry may work as part of a team, collaborating with other IT professionals, engineers, and technicians. They may also interact with end-users, such as engineers, technicians, and other staff, to provide technical support and training.
Long Hours: Depending on the specific job position and company requirements, IT professionals in the nuclear industry may work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to ensure that critical computer systems and applications are operational.
Adherence to Regulations: The nuclear industry is heavily regulated, and IT professionals must adhere to industry-specific safety standards, data privacy laws, and other regulations. This can impact the type of software and systems used, and also influence the procedures and protocols that IT professionals follow.
Professional Development: IT professionals in the nuclear industry must continually develop their technical skills and industry knowledge to keep up with emerging technologies, regulations, and safety standards. This may involve attending conferences, taking courses, and earning certifications.
Overall, working life as an IT professional in the nuclear industry can be challenging, yet rewarding, with opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and adherence to safety standards and regulations.
Is this right for me
Best Personality for this career.
IT professionals in the nuclear industry require a combination of technical skills, industry knowledge, and personal qualities to succeed in their roles. Here are some of the personality traits that are well-suited for an IT role in the nuclear industry:
Attention to Detail: Attention to detail is critical in the nuclear industry, where even minor mistakes can have severe consequences. IT professionals need to be detail-oriented and meticulous to ensure that computer systems and software applications are operating correctly and securely.
Analytical Thinking: IT professionals in the nuclear industry need strong analytical skills to identify and solve technical problems. They must be able to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions based on the available information.
Teamwork: IT professionals in the nuclear industry often work as part of a team, collaborating with other IT professionals, engineers, and technicians. They need excellent teamwork skills, including communication, collaboration, and respect for others' expertise.
Adaptability: The nuclear industry is continually changing, with new technologies, regulations, and safety standards. IT professionals need to be adaptable and able to learn new skills and technologies quickly to keep up with these changes.
Professionalism: IT professionals in the nuclear industry must maintain a high level of professionalism at all times. They must be reliable, responsible, and accountable for their actions and decisions.
Safety Awareness: Safety is paramount in the nuclear industry, and IT professionals must be aware of the specific safety protocols and regulations that apply to their work.
Problem-Solving: IT professionals in the nuclear industry must have excellent problem-solving skills to troubleshoot technical issues quickly and efficiently.
Overall, IT professionals in the nuclear industry need to have a combination of technical skills, industry knowledge, and personal qualities to succeed in their roles.