Senior Engineer – Core Design and Performance

Role Title: Lead Engineer – Core Design & Performance

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

Rolls‑Royce SMR is pioneering a new generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy through its Small Modular Reactor technology. As the UK’s preferred SMR vendor, we are driving innovation to support global net‑zero goals, energy security and industrial decarbonisation. Joining us means working at the forefront of advanced engineering, shaping sustainable energy solutions with real‑world impact.

The Core Design department is responsible for ensuring the reactor core meets all relevant design and safety limits, while delivering the performance, capability and economic objectives expected from a world‑class SMR.

About the Role:

As a Lead Engineer – Core Design & Performance, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the technical integrity, safety and performance of the SMR reactor core.

You will lead the development of core modelling and analysis methodologies and provide technical leadership across complex, multidisciplinary core design challenges. This includes reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and fuel performance, ensuring a coherent and integrated approach to core design and analysis.

You will act as a key technical authority within the organisation, articulating the fuel and core safety case position, engaging with regulators and external stakeholders, and shaping the long‑term capability of the Core Design function.

This is a high‑impact role where your work will directly underpin the safety, performance and commercial success of the SMR programme.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead the development and implementation of core modelling and analysis methodologies
• Provide technical leadership to resolve complex core design challenges across disciplines
• Develop and articulate the fuel and reactor core safety case position
• Act as a primary technical interface with regulators, clients and suppliers
• Shape the strategic development of Core Design capability and long‑term technical direction
• Collaborate with external research organisations to apply industry best practice
• Integrate reactor core design within the wider power station design through cross‑functional working
• Lead complex technical workstreams through to successful delivery
• Support planning, risk management and progress reporting across design activities
• Provide technical oversight, guidance and coaching to engineers and analysts
• Ensure delivery of high‑quality technical outputs aligned to E3S and regulatory expectations

Key Skills Required:

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:

• Strong understanding of PWR design, plant behaviour and operational philosophy
• Experience with nuclear safety, E3S regulations and principles such as ALARP and BAT
• Experience with design basis assessment methods and UK safety case practices
• Expertise with physics analysis tools (e.g. CMS, S5) and sub‑channel and/or kinetics tools (e.g. VIPRE, CTF, S5K or similar)
• Strong Python capability for pre‑ and post‑processing, with familiarity in software development and quality assurance processes
• Proven ability to lead complex technical programmes or workstreams
• Strong planning, organisational and risk‑management capability
• Experience influencing regulators, clients and suppliers
• Ability to lead small technical teams and collaborate across multidisciplinary environments
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Strong academic background with a Master’s in Nuclear Engineering, Physics or a closely related discipline
• Experience in reactor physics and/or thermal‑hydraulics analysis
• Understanding of nuclear fuel performance and core behaviour

Location:

Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site:
Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Salary and Package:

The salary band for this role will be between £63,600 – £83,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility in exceptional cases, reflecting the seniority and technical leadership responsibility of the role.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity up to 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

Pay Range:

-

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

#LI‑SZ1 #LI‑Hybrid #WeAreSMR #destinationnuclear

About Us

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

A career with Rolls-Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission.
Rolls-Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low-carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years.
With its Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future.
We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love.
We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls-Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

Our culture

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge.
Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.

Why join us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:
• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone can thrive.

What we offer

At Rolls-Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands.
Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls-Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career. Our Team | Rolls-Royce SMR

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