Fuel Route Safety Expert Specialist in Derby

Location: Flexible UK Location (Hybrid) with travel to Derby, Warrington and Manchester.

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are transforming the future of clean energy. Through innovative nuclear technology, we are developing a low-carbon power solution that will help meet growing global energy demands while supporting energy security and net zero ambitions. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the UK's most significant engineering programmes and help shape the future of nuclear power.

The Team

You will join our Mechanical Systems function, working at the heart of the Reactor Plant and Systems Team. As the recognised technical authority for Fuel Route Safety, you will work across multidisciplinary teams including systems engineering, nuclear components, EC&I, human factors and power station integration. This is a highly influential expert role, providing technical leadership across the fuel lifecycle while supporting regulatory engagement and critical programme milestones.

The Role

As Fuel Route Safety Expert Specialist, you will provide end-to-end technical leadership for the safety case of the Rolls-Royce SMR fuel route, ensuring that design solutions are robust, defensible and aligned with UK nuclear regulatory expectations. You will shape technical strategy, influence key design decisions and lead the development of safety justifications that support programme delivery and regulatory approval.

This role offers the opportunity to become a recognised subject matter expert, representing Rolls-Royce SMR with regulators, customers, industry bodies and senior stakeholders while driving excellence across a safety-critical and highly regulated environment.

What We’ll Need You to Do:

• Provide technical ownership of the fuel route safety case, ensuring a coherent and integrated approach across fuel import, inspection, handling, core loading, storage and cask loading.
• Lead the development, review and continuous improvement of safety case documentation, responding to regulatory feedback and supporting major programme submissions.
• Develop robust safety justifications, fault studies and risk management strategies that demonstrate compliance with ALARP principles and wider regulatory requirements.
• Act as the technical authority for complex engineering challenges, providing expert guidance, governance and decision-making throughout the design lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure effective system integration, design maturity and successful programme delivery.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, customers, suppliers and industry partners, representing Rolls-Royce SMR as a recognised expert within your field.
• Mentor and develop engineers across the organisation, helping to strengthen capability, technical excellence and a culture of continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring:

• Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent) alongside a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive experience within the UK nuclear sector, particularly in fuel handling, fuel route operations or nuclear power station environments, with a strong understanding of the regulatory landscape.
• Proven expertise in developing, defending and maintaining nuclear safety cases, including regulatory submissions, fault studies, design substantiation and defence-in-depth approaches.
• Deep technical knowledge of fuel route systems, nuclear safety principles, ALARP methodologies and safety assessment techniques such as HAZOP and design risk management.
• Strong systems engineering capability, including requirements management, functional analysis and interface development within complex engineering programmes.
• The credibility and confidence to influence senior stakeholders, challenge constructively, and communicate complex technical issues to a wide range of audiences.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, combined with a passion for mentoring others and driving high standards within a safety-critical environment.

Location: This role can be based at any Rolls-Royce SMR UK location and offers flexible hybrid working. Regular collaboration with colleagues across Derby, Warrington and Manchester will be required, alongside occasional travel to customer, supplier and regulatory locations.

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we know there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. If you meet around 75% of the requirements and are excited by the opportunity to help deliver the next generation of nuclear energy, we'd love to hear from you.

What’s in it for you

We anticipate a salary of £71,000 - £93,200 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. We also offer excellent benefits including:

• Bonus - Performance related bonus of up to 17%
• Benefits Allowance - £5000, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
• £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases

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