Assistant Chief Design Engineer (ACDE)

We are seeking an Assistant Chief Design Engineer (ACDE) – Turbine Island, reporting to the Chief Design Engineer – Conventional Island. This senior role provides technical and program leadership for the Turbine Island scope, supporting delivery of generic and site‑specific designs while ensuring integration, governance and regulatory alignment across the Conventional Island.

Key Deliverables / Duties

• Act as deputy technical authority for the Turbine Island, supporting the Chief Design Engineer in leading design, integration, and governance across the full Turbine Island lifecycle.
• Provide senior multidisciplinary technical leadership, coordinating mechanical, electrical, civil, structural and systems engineering inputs to deliver coherent, traceable and regulation‑ready designs.
• Support development and ongoing management of the integrated engineering programme, working closely with Programme, Planning, Safety and Delivery functions to align scope, schedule, resource and design maturity.
• Lead and assure the site‑specific adaptation of the generic Turbine Island design, ensuring seismic, geotechnical, climatic and infrastructure constraints are addressed while maintaining design intent.
• Manage and assure engineering governance, configuration control and design change, chairing or contributing to technical reviews, readiness assessments and program decision gates.
• Serve as the principal technical interface for Turbine Island matters, engaging effectively with internal disciplines, site developers, suppliers, delivery partners and regulators.
• Identify, assess and mitigate technical, program and supply‑chain risks, ensuring issues are visible, controlled and resolved.
• Oversee and guide supplier technical performance, including management of design contracts, resolution of technical queries and collaborative optimisation of cost, quality and performance.
• Champion systems engineering, digital engineering and modularisation approaches, driving innovation, consistency and continuous improvement across the Turbine Island scope.
• Provide visible, credible senior leadership across the engineering community, mentoring leaders and influencing at all levels to resolve complex cross‑functional challenges.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Degree‑qualified in a relevant engineering discipline (mechanical, nuclear or related); Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards equivalent.
• Significant experience delivering turbine or large rotating equipment solutions across the full product lifecycle in a regulated industry.
• Strong capability in engineering governance, systems integration and safety‑related decision‑making.
• Broad understanding of adjacent Conventional Island systems, including Balance of Plant and Cooling Water Island.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and interfacing with regulators.

Location & Working Arrangement

This role offers hybrid and flexible working. Regular attendance will be expected at Derby, Manchester or Warrington, aligned to program delivery, collaboration and stakeholder needs.

Benefits & Compensation

• Salary: £85,600 – £108,400, depending on experience.
• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity 30%.
• Benefits Allowance – £8,500 per annum, to create a bespoke package.
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) with the option to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care.
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay (£250 one‑off payment for new starters for home office purchases).

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and will make reasonable adjustments where required.