At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team tackling climate change through innovative mechanical engineering projects.
- Company: AtkinsRéalis, a leading engineering services and nuclear organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, tailored benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with strong support for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the nuclear industry while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical engineering, preferably within the UK nuclear defence sector.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Mechanical Engineer who is passionate about making the world a better place? Would you be excited to play a part in supporting the fight against climate change? Do you thrive in collaborative, creative environments? Are you looking for a challenging role that allows flexible working and work‑life balance? If this sounds like you, then we'd love to hear from you.
We are looking for Mechanical Engineers to expand and grow our Derby office to meet increasing client demand in the region. As a member of our team, you will work on a diverse and challenging range of complex projects for our clients, with opportunities to work within AtkinsRéalis design teams or directly with our clients by being embedded into their major programmes. Whether you possess a breadth of experience from working across different markets or industries, or you already have a depth of experience working in Nuclear, we have the pipeline of opportunities to ignite your career and take your skills and experience to the next level.
The variety and scale of projects we work on means that there is something for everybody, and we work hard to make sure that all of our staff have fulfilling and rewarding careers. Whatever our individual roles, we approach everything we do with a sense of curiosity, care, courage and community.
You will have the opportunity to apply your existing skills and develop new skills across a wide range of projects across the full UK nuclear industry. In Reactor Operations, your core work will involve leading the design and substantiation of mechanical equipment to the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency, to enable the continued operation and life extension of our UK fleet of nuclear power stations and nuclear‑powered submarines.
Our team also works closely with our Power New Build business, supporting Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, and the development of Small Modular Reactors and Fusion Energy reactors, as well as our Decommissioning business, supporting the safe dismantling, processing and packaging of nuclear waste at the UK's nuclear estate at Sellafield and across the UK's decommissioning power stations and nuclear‑powered submarines.
Your role involves being part of a team delivering a wide range of complex and exciting mechanical engineering and multi-disciplinary projects. Whether it’s managing timescales, solving problems, or providing guidance to junior engineers, you’ll bring energy and focus – helping the team stay calm, connected and focused on delivering outstanding outcomes for our clients.
You will enjoy drawing upon your strengths to deliver design and substantiation projects at all stages of the lifecycle, from providing technical input to bids, budgets and schedules, working with clients to explore feasibility and optioneer engineering solutions, to detailed design and construction.
You will be able to confidently liaise with, present to, and influence stakeholders at all levels both internally and externally, in understanding their issues, goals, and processes and to build strong, lasting relationships.
About you: You are someone who brings calm to complexity. You enjoy working in fast-paced environments and get a real sense of satisfaction from helping people stay organised and focused. You’re naturally collaborative – someone who builds strong relationships and keeps communication flowing. You’re comfortable juggling priorities, solving problems as they arise, and keeping things moving.
You’ve worked with a range of engineering tools to design and substantiate mechanical equipment such as mechanical handling systems, machinery, test rigs, or mechanical components. You will understand how to deliver complex engineering projects through a structured design process, ensuring we deliver right-first-time solutions to our clients to time, cost and quality.
You will have experience working in the UK nuclear defence industry and be motivated to continuously develop your skills, whilst making a positive contribution to critical UK nuclear (civil and defence) programmes.
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities.
Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear (Civil & Defence) in Derby employer: AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, particularly in the dynamic field of environmental consultancy. Located in London, our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and sustainability, providing team members with the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects while working alongside industry experts. We are committed to supporting your journey towards chartership and offer a range of benefits that enhance work-life balance and professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear (Civil & Defence) in Derby
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like AtkinsRéalis.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like AtkinsRéalis love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of AtkinsRéalis and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear (Civil & Defence) in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for AtkinsRéalis and the Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear (Civil & Defence) role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at AtkinsRéalis
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at AtkinsRéalis.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at AtkinsRéalis.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with AtkinsRéalis, making you a more appealing candidate.
