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7255 Career Guide

Navy

7255: Nuclear Power Technician - Submarine

Career transition guide for Navy Nuclear Power Technician - Submarine (7255)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7255 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Nuclear Power Plant Operator

$95K
High matchStable demand

Mechanical Engineer

$88K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Professional Engineer (PE) licenseCAD software proficiency

Power Distributor and Dispatcher

$80K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific software trainingRenewable energy knowledge

Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Local licensingHVAC systems knowledge

Technical Trainer (Nuclear Focus)

$75K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design certificationCurriculum development experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7255 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a Nuclear Power Technician on a submarine, you maintain and troubleshoot complex nuclear reactor systems, requiring a deep understanding of how each component interacts and affects the overall system performance. You predict system behavior under various conditions and identify potential points of failure.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to civilian roles where analyzing intricate processes and predicting outcomes is essential. You can quickly grasp how different elements within a system influence each other, allowing you to optimize performance and prevent disruptions.

Procedural Compliance

Nuclear operations demand strict adherence to protocols and safety regulations. You are trained to follow procedures meticulously and ensure all tasks are completed to the highest standards, with no room for error. This is critical for maintaining reactor safety and preventing accidents.

Your commitment to following established procedures and maintaining impeccable standards is highly valued in civilian sectors that require stringent quality control and safety measures. You understand the importance of precision and attention to detail, ensuring consistent and reliable results.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Submarines operate in demanding environments where equipment malfunctions can occur. You are trained to maintain reactor stability and safety, troubleshoot equipment problems, and implement alternative operational methods under pressure, ensuring the reactor continues to operate safely even when systems are not functioning optimally.

Your ability to adapt and maintain operational effectiveness during emergencies is invaluable in civilian roles requiring quick thinking and problem-solving under pressure. You can remain calm, assess the situation, and implement effective solutions to minimize disruptions.

Situational Awareness

Working within a confined submarine environment requires constant awareness of your surroundings, system status, and the potential impact of your actions. You are trained to monitor multiple data points simultaneously and anticipate potential problems before they escalate.

This heightened awareness makes you adept at understanding complex situations and anticipating challenges in civilian environments. You're skilled at gathering and interpreting information to make informed decisions and proactively mitigate risks.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Power Grid System Operator

SOC 51-8013.00

You've been trained to understand complex systems, adhere to strict procedures, and maintain operational readiness under pressure. Your expertise in reactor management translates perfectly to operating and maintaining the stability of a power grid.

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

You've been steeped in a culture of procedural compliance and rigorous standards. Your experience ensuring reactor safety makes you exceptionally qualified to oversee quality control processes in manufacturing or other industries.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9011.00

You've mastered degraded-mode operations and situational awareness in a high-stakes environment. Your ability to think clearly under pressure and implement effective solutions makes you an ideal candidate for coordinating emergency response efforts.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Goose Creek, SC

2,400 training hours52 weeksUp to 60 semester hours in engineering and technology subjects

Topics Covered

  • Mathematics and Reactor Physics
  • Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
  • Electrical Theory and Reactor Instrumentation
  • Chemistry and Materials Science
  • Reactor Principles
  • Operational Procedures and Casualty Control
  • Radiological Controls

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

ASME NQA-1 Nuclear Quality Assurance Auditor70% covered

Requires knowledge of ASME NQA-1 standards, auditing techniques, and documentation procedures specific to civilian nuclear facilities. Focus study on regulatory differences and commercial applications.

Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM)60% covered

Study maintenance management principles in a commercial setting, including financial considerations, inventory control, and regulatory compliance outside of the Navy.

NACE Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Level 140% covered

While familiar with corrosion control, the veteran needs to study specific coating types, application methods, inspection techniques, and documentation required by NACE standards in civilian infrastructure.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Energy Manager (CEM)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
S9G Reactor PlantCommercial Nuclear Reactor Operation
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Testing EquipmentElectromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing Equipment
Reactor Coolant Chemistry Monitoring SystemIndustrial Water Quality Analysis Systems
Radiation Detection and Measurement Equipment (e.g., AN/PDR-77)Geiger Counters and Dosimeters
Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) Control SystemsBackup Power Generator Control Systems
Steam Turbine Control SystemsIndustrial Turbine Control Systems
Distributive Control System (DCS)Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)

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