Senior Nuclear Safety Engineer

Location: Manchester, Warrington or Derby, with Hybrid Working Available

Function: Safety & Regulatory Affairs

Security Clearance: BPSS (role subject to export control restrictions)

About Rolls‑Royce SMR

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we’re developing a new generation of nuclear power stations that will play a vital role in delivering reliable, low‑carbon energy for the UK and beyond. Safety is fundamental to our mission, and we put secure, sustainable and well‑regulated design at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels valued, supported and able to contribute their best work.

The Opportunity

We need you to join our Safety & Regulatory Affairs function as a Senior Nuclear Safety Engineer, where you’ll play a key role in shaping and assuring the nuclear safety basis of our SMR design. This is a senior, influential role sitting at the interface between engineering teams, nuclear safety specialists and regulators. You’ll ensure Environment, Safety, Security and Safeguards (E3S) requirements are clearly defined, robustly justified and embedded into engineering design from concept through to regulatory approval.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and maintain nuclear safety, security and environmental principles and requirements, ensuring they are fully integrated into engineering design activities
• Proactively drive E3S requirements into design, offering expert advice, guidance and challenge to engineering teams
• Review engineering designs and documentation to confirm correct interpretation and implementation of nuclear safety requirements
• Work closely with nuclear safety analysis teams (including internal hazards and probabilistic safety analysis) to deliver an informed, defensible safety case
• Act as a key technical interface with regulators, supporting and leading licensing activities for allocated engineering disciplines (e.g. Mechanical, Civil or Electrical)
• Prepare and coordinate high‑quality responses to regulatory and customer queries in support of Rolls‑Royce SMR deployment

What Success Looks Like

• Supporting ALARP and Best Available Techniques (BAT) demonstrations using appropriate good practice
• Confidently representing Rolls‑Royce SMR’s nuclear safety position to internal and external stakeholders
• Delivering high‑quality technical reviews of engineering and nuclear safety analysis documentation
• Making a visible contribution to regulatory assessment, licensing milestones and overall programme confidence

What We’re Looking For

We know there’s no such thing as a “perfect” candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the criteria, we would love to hear from you. We’re particularly interested in people who bring:

• Experience working closely with engineering teams to deliver integrated engineering and nuclear safety solutions
• Strong knowledge of PWR plant design and operation
• Experience of nuclear safety, security or environmental analysis methods and regulatory frameworks
• Understanding of the UK civil nuclear regulatory regime
• The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, influencing at different levels and to demanding timescales

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Practical experience applying nuclear safety principles within complex, regulated environments

Reward & Benefits

• A Salary between £50,650 and £66,500
• 12.5% bonus opportunity
• £2,200 flexible benefits allowance
• 28 days annual leave plus public holidays
• Standard Rolls‑Royce SMR pension Contribution 12%
• 37.5‑hour working week with flexible and part‑time working options available

Flexible & Inclusive Working

We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We offer flexible working arrangements to support work‑life balance and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Security & Background Checks

As part of our offer process, Rolls‑Royce SMR carries out security and financial probity checks. These are not “pass or fail” and individual circumstances are considered carefully and fairly.

Pay Range £50,600.00

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