At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative systems engineering for modular reactors and nuclear design programmes.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a key player in clean energy and national security.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, matched pension, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of clean energy and national resilience.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer status or equivalent experience in systems engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Shape The Future of Clean, Secure Energy at The Heart of UK Nuclear Innovation.
The UK’s small and advanced modular reactor sector is entering a pivotal phase, with major programmes progressing and strong government backing. Join us as a Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead at the centre of this momentum and build your career across the nuclear and defence sector.
The role We’re seeking a Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead to join our Advanced Nuclear Technologies team, working in a fast‑moving, innovation‑led environment with real national impact. You’ll help shape the next generation of nuclear power through cutting‑edge design, accelerated deployment and projects that strengthen the UK’s long‑term energy resilience. If you want your work to matter at scale, this is the role for you.
This is a full‑time role working 37 hours per week. The role is based flexibly across our UK locations, with ad hoc travel to the North West, including Warrington and Manchester, as required. Hybrid working patterns are available, balancing flexibility with the needs of a highly collaborative engineering programme.
Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:
- Leading systems engineering activities across complex modular reactor and nuclear design programmes
- Providing technical leadership and decision‑making authority across the full engineering lifecycle
- Delivering and assuring high‑quality designs, analyses, calculations and technical documentation
- Leading engineering assurance activities including validation, verification and technical reviews
- Coaching and mentoring engineers while working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
Essential experience of the Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead:
- Extensive experience across the full systems engineering lifecycle
- Proven ability to lead, influence and make sound technical decisions in complex environments
- Experience delivering engineering assurance, validation and verification activities
- Background working in highly regulated industries
- Experience engaging with multiple stakeholders across interdisciplinary engineering teams
Qualifications for the Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead:
- Chartered Engineer status, or working towards this, or equivalent experience
- Degree‑level qualification in engineering or a relevant technical discipline
- Strong practical knowledge of systems engineering principles
- Experience leading technical reviews and assurance activities
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively
Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Cavendish: We’re Cavendish Nuclear — a team of c5,000 specialists and a core part of Babcock International Group. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. Across clean energy, defence, and civil decommissioning, your work will contribute to projects that are critical to energy security and national protection. Together, we’re shaping a future that lasts — not only through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.
Join us and discover how far we can go, together. We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 15/06/2026
Systems Engineering Lead in Newbury employer: Babcock International
Cavendish Nuclear is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the forefront of clean energy innovation. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme and unique initiatives like 'Be Kind Day' for volunteering, we foster a culture that values work-life balance and inclusivity. Join us in shaping the future of nuclear technology while enjoying flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineering Lead in Newbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the nuclear and engineering sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects thoroughly. Understand their approach to modular reactors and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Systems Engineering Lead, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and make decisions. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led projects or mentored others. We love hearing about real-life impacts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the energy sector. Let’s shape the future together!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineering Lead in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead role. Highlight your systems engineering expertise and any relevant projects you've worked on to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about clean energy and how your background makes you a great candidate for this position. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention your technical leadership experience and any specific systems engineering tools or methodologies you’ve used. We want to see how you can contribute to our innovative projects!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Systems Engineering Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your systems engineering principles and lifecycle knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in complex environments. This will show that you can lead and influence effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Leadership Questions
Expect questions about your experience in leading technical reviews and assurance activities. Think of specific examples where you made sound decisions under pressure, and be prepared to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves engaging with multiple stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with interdisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve navigated complex stakeholder relationships.
✨Show Your Passion for Clean Energy
This role is all about shaping the future of clean energy. Be ready to express your enthusiasm for nuclear innovation and how you see your role contributing to national energy resilience. A genuine passion can set you apart from other candidates.
