Quality Professional - Assurance Programme

Quality Professional – Assurance Programme

Role Title: Quality Professional – Assurance Programme

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.

We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Quality Professional – Assurance Programme, to be involved in industry leading, cutting-edge design project for a new type of power station.

For the right individual, this is a fantastic opportunity to join the pioneering Rolls-Royce SMR Quality Team as a Quality Professional – Assurance Programme. In this influential role, you will play a key part in shaping the future of nuclear energy by helping to develop, implement, and continuously improve the quality assurance arrangements that underpin our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme.

You will be responsible for supporting the design, deployment, and governance of quality assurance processes, systems, and frameworks that align with nuclear design codes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Your work will directly contribute to ensuring quality excellence across the SMR lifecycle—from concept through to delivery—helping to build a safer, more sustainable energy future.

This role offers a unique chance to work at the forefront of innovation in a highly regulated and technically complex environment. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams, influence quality culture, and help embed robust assurance practices that meet the highest standards of nuclear safety and performance

Key Results & What can be achieved in the role

To be successful in this role, the individual will demonstrate:

Nuclear Industry Knowledge

• A strong understanding of the nuclear sector, including its regulatory landscape, operational challenges, and safety culture. Proven ability to apply this knowledge to support quality assurance in a highly regulated environment.

Nuclear Code Knowledge

• Familiarity with nuclear design codes and standards (e.g., ASME, RCC-M, ISO 19443), with the ability to interpret and apply them effectively within quality systems and assurance frameworks.

Stakeholder Management

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships across multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. Able to influence and collaborate to drive quality outcomes.

Self-Motivation

• A proactive and driven approach to work, with the ability to take ownership of tasks, seek out opportunities for improvement, and deliver results with minimal supervision.

Multitasking

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, while maintaining attention to detail and quality standards.

System Improvements

• A continuous improvement mindset, with experience in identifying gaps, proposing enhancements, and implementing changes to quality systems, processes, and tools that improve efficiency and compliance.

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.

Key Selection Criteria

Quality Assurance Programmes

To be effective in this role, the individual must demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• Nuclear Sector Expertise
  • In-depth understanding of the nuclear industry, including regulatory frameworks, licensing requirements, and the application of nuclear design codes (e.g., ASME, RCC-M, ISO 19443). Able to apply this knowledge to ensure compliance and quality assurance integrity.
• Design Code Interpretation
  • Proven ability to interpret complex nuclear design codes and translate them into practical quality assurance requirements. Capable of identifying applicable standards and ensuring their correct implementation across programmes and processes.
• Stakeholder Requirement Analysis
  • Skilled in engaging with internal and external stakeholders to elicit, understand, and clarify quality-related requirements. Able to balance technical, regulatory, and business needs to ensure alignment and traceability throughout the assurance lifecycle.
• Quality Assurance Programme Development
  • Experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance programmes that are robust, scalable, and aligned with both stakeholder expectations and nuclear code requirements.
• Governance and Compliance
  • Strong understanding of quality governance principles, with the ability to establish and maintain effective oversight mechanisms. Ensures that assurance processes are auditable, transparent, and continuously improved.
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and regulatory information clearly to diverse audiences. Collaborative approach to working with engineering, regulatory, and project teams.

Process and QA Programme Development

• Quality Assurance Programme Development
  • Demonstrated ability to support the creation and ongoing management of quality assurance programmes, including the development of quality manuals, implementation plans, and performance metrics. Able to align these elements with nuclear design codes and regulatory expectations.
• Strategic Alignment
  • Competent in translating strategic objectives into actionable quality assurance frameworks that support the broader goals of the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. Understands how quality contributes to programme success and long-term value.
• Performance Measurement
  • Skilled in defining and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of quality assurance activities. Uses data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance.
• Documentation and Governance
  • Strong technical writing and documentation skills, with the ability to produce clear, auditable, and compliant quality manuals and plans. Ensures governance structures are in place to maintain quality integrity throughout the programme lifecycle

Stakeholder Management

The role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with internal functions, external stakeholders, regulators, and industry bodies. The individual must demonstrate the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, fostering trust and alignment to support programme objectives. Competency in navigating regulatory environments is essential, with the capability to contribute to the Rolls-Royce SMR certification programme and support external nuclear regulatory assessments and reviews through accurate, timely, and well-informed quality assurance input.

Quality Documentation

The role demands a meticulous and disciplined approach to the control, management, and review of documentation within a nuclear environment. The individual must demonstrate strong experience in maintaining configuration control, ensuring traceability, and managing document lifecycles in line with nuclear regulatory and design code requirements. A keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy are essential, with the ability to identify discrepancies, ensure consistency, and uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance across all controlled documentation.

The role requires strong analytical and facilitation skills to support the development and continuous improvement of business processes and procedures. The individual must be experienced in leading and contributing to process mapping activities, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and alignment with regulatory and operational requirements. Competency in organising and facilitating problem-solving using structured methodologies to drive collaborative solutions and embed a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Ref 446 Department Safety & Regulatory Affairs Location Derby, Manchester, Warrington Employment type Full-time Salary £40,000 – £52,500 Closing date 14/08/2025 Role related

Role Title: Quality Professional – Assurance Programme

Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington

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.

We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Quality Professional – Assurance Programme, to be involved in industry leading, cutting-edge design project for a new type of power station.

For the right individual, this is a fantastic opportunity to join the pioneering Rolls-Royce SMR Quality Team as a Quality Professional – Assurance Programme. In this influential role, you will play a key part in shaping the future of nuclear energy by helping to develop, implement, and continuously improve the quality assurance arrangements that underpin our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme.

You will be responsible for supporting the design, deployment, and governance of quality assurance processes, systems, and frameworks that align with nuclear design codes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Your work will directly contribute to ensuring quality excellence across the SMR lifecycle—from concept through to delivery—helping to build a safer, more sustainable energy future.

This role offers a unique chance to work at the forefront of innovation in a highly regulated and technically complex environment. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams, influence quality culture, and help embed robust assurance practices that meet the highest standards of nuclear safety and performance

Key Results & What can be achieved in the role

To be successful in this role, the individual will demonstrate:

Nuclear Industry Knowledge

• A strong understanding of the nuclear sector, including its regulatory landscape, operational challenges, and safety culture. Proven ability to apply this knowledge to support quality assurance in a highly regulated environment.

Nuclear Code Knowledge

• Familiarity with nuclear design codes and standards (e.g., ASME, RCC-M, ISO 19443), with the ability to interpret and apply them effectively within quality systems and assurance frameworks.

Stakeholder Management

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships across multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. Able to influence and collaborate to drive quality outcomes.

Self-Motivation

• A proactive and driven approach to work, with the ability to take ownership of tasks, seek out opportunities for improvement, and deliver results with minimal supervision.

Multitasking

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, while maintaining attention to detail and quality standards.

System Improvements

• A continuous improvement mindset, with experience in identifying gaps, proposing enhancements, and implementing changes to quality systems, processes, and tools that improve efficiency and compliance.

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.

Key Selection Criteria

Quality Assurance Programmes

To be effective in this role, the individual must demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• Nuclear Sector Expertise
  • In-depth understanding of the nuclear industry, including regulatory frameworks, licensing requirements, and the application of nuclear design codes (e.g., ASME, RCC-M, ISO 19443). Able to apply this knowledge to ensure compliance and quality assurance integrity.
• Design Code Interpretation
  • Proven ability to interpret complex nuclear design codes and translate them into practical quality assurance requirements. Capable of identifying applicable standards and ensuring their correct implementation across programmes and processes.
• Stakeholder Requirement Analysis
  • Skilled in engaging with internal and external stakeholders to elicit, understand, and clarify quality-related requirements. Able to balance technical, regulatory, and business needs to ensure alignment and traceability throughout the assurance lifecycle.
• Quality Assurance Programme Development
  • Experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance programmes that are robust, scalable, and aligned with both stakeholder expectations and nuclear code requirements.
• Governance and Compliance
  • Strong understanding of quality governance principles, with the ability to establish and maintain effective oversight mechanisms. Ensures that assurance processes are auditable, transparent, and continuously improved.
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and regulatory information clearly to diverse audiences. Collaborative approach to working with engineering, regulatory, and project teams.

Process and QA Programme Development

• Quality Assurance Programme Development
  • Demonstrated ability to support the creation and ongoing management of quality assurance programmes, including the development of quality manuals, implementation plans, and performance metrics. Able to align these elements with nuclear design codes and regulatory expectations.
• Strategic Alignment
  • Competent in translating strategic objectives into actionable quality assurance frameworks that support the broader goals of the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. Understands how quality contributes to programme success and long-term value.
• Performance Measurement
  • Skilled in defining and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of quality assurance activities. Uses data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance.
• Documentation and Governance
  • Strong technical writing and documentation skills, with the ability to produce clear, auditable, and compliant quality manuals and plans. Ensures governance structures are in place to maintain quality integrity throughout the programme lifecycle

Stakeholder Management

The role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with internal functions, external stakeholders, regulators, and industry bodies. The individual must demonstrate the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, fostering trust and alignment to support programme objectives. Competency in navigating regulatory environments is essential, with the capability to contribute to the Rolls-Royce SMR certification programme and support external nuclear regulatory assessments and reviews through accurate, timely, and well-informed quality assurance input.

Quality Documentation

The role demands a meticulous and disciplined approach to the control, management, and review of documentation within a nuclear environment. The individual must demonstrate strong experience in maintaining configuration control, ensuring traceability, and managing document lifecycles in line with nuclear regulatory and design code requirements. A keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy are essential, with the ability to identify discrepancies, ensure consistency, and uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance across all controlled documentation.

Continuous Improvement

The role requires strong analytical and facilitation skills to support the development and continuous improvement of business processes and procedures. The individual must be experienced in leading and contributing to process mapping activities, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and alignment with regulatory and operational requirements. Competency in organising and facilitating problem-solving using structured methodologies to drive collaborative solutions and embed a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Pay and benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £40,000 – £52,500 DOE plus:-

· Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 12.5%

· Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package

· Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.

· Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.

· Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care

· Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

· £250 – One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases

Company related

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

Rolls-Royce SMR is a rare employer because it blends the world-class brand of Rolls Royce with an exciting start-up that has a hugely challenging mission. We’re doing work that contributes to the survival of the planet. Because of our mission, there’s a pace and energy that is palpable, and our leaders draw you in with their passion, energy, and determination.

We’re one of a handful of employers who can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation – our people are here because of what makes them great, and our job is to help them make the best contribution of their careers doing work they love.

The start-up mentality coupled with our strengths-approach to people means there are opportunities to grow in ways and jobs you probably would be barred from doing in more traditional companies.

Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues

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.

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

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