Senior Legal Counsel, Nuclear EMEA

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to support its Nuclear EMEA and Technology & Environmental Remediation businesses, advising on complex nuclear projects across the nuclear fuel cycle, including delivery through joint ventures, alliances and strategic partnerships. This is an exciting role supporting major projects in a highly regulated, technically complex environment. Although preferred, prior nuclear sector experience is not required; strong experience in construction, engineering or infrastructure is essential.

Your role

• Reporting to the Legal Director, you will act as a trusted legal business partner to project, commercial and business leaders, providing pragmatic, outcome‑focused advice that supports safe, compliant and successful project delivery.
• As part of a close knit Nuclear EMEA legal team, you will be part of AtkinsRéalis' Global Nuclear Sector and a global legal function of over 100 lawyers offering strong collaboration, technical depth and opportunities for career development.
• The role aligns with the O‑Shaped Lawyer philosophy, combining technical excellence with collaboration, accountability, trust and impact.
• Support complex nuclear projects across their full lifecycle, with a strong emphasis on win‑work and bid support.
• Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including professional services agreements and subcontracts.
• Familiarity with market‑standard forms such as NEC, FIDIC and JCT.
• Lead or support joint venture, consortium and alliance arrangements, including drafting and negotiating JV and shareholder agreements.
• Provide practical legal advice on risk allocation, incentivisation, liability, insurance, performance security and project governance in a regulated environment.
• Support dispute management and resolution where required, working closely with internal teams, external counsel and insurers, with a focus on early resolution and dispute avoidance.
• Provide pragmatic guidance on procurement, competition, intellectual property, governance and broader risk management issues affecting projects.
• Experience with export control, sanctions, M&A or broader corporate transactions is desirable but not essential.
• De‑risk the business through targeted legal support and training, including practical briefings, guidance and lessons learned for commercial and project teams.
• Build strong working relationships with commercial, technical and project stakeholders across Nuclear EMEA and Technology.
• Work autonomously on complex matters while supporting and developing trainee and junior lawyers through effective delegation, guidance and feedback.

About You

• You will be a qualified solicitor in England & Wales with experience in one or more of the following areas: engineering/design, consultancy, construction, energy or broader projects work—whether from private practice or an in‑house role.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge constructively and navigate complex delivery environments.
• An appetite to understand the wider business context, including strategy, delivery pressures and commercial drivers—not just contractual documentation.
• Innovative, solution‑oriented, organised, and proactive.
• You think creatively, spot opportunities, and bring new ideas into how we deliver legal support.
• Collaborative and aligned with O‑Shaped behaviours.
• And above all: you connect with our purpose to engineer a better future for the planet and its people.

Rewards & Benefits

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.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We are committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

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 ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.