Lead Engineer - C&I Functional Design (Safety Systems) in Derby

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

The Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) function plays a critical role in defining the safety, protection and control philosophy of the SMR power station. Within this function, the C&I Functional Control and Automation team is responsible for defining the functional intent and architecture of safety‑related control and protection systems across the plant.

About the Role:

As a Lead Engineer - C&I Functional Design (Safety Systems) you will provide technical leadership in defining the functional specifications for nuclear safety systems across the RR‑SMR plant. You will lead the development of functional design during conceptual and front‑end engineering phases, setting design intent, defining safety functions and translating plant needs into implementable system requirements.

This role carries technical authority for safety‑related C&I functional design and plays a key role in influencing safety cases, plant operating philosophy and regulatory engagement. You will work closely with C&I architects, safety system owners, safety‑case teams, plant system owners, modelling teams and other engineering disciplines to ensure alignment across the organisation.

You will take ownership of multiple work packages defining the overall C&I functional specification for safety systems, ensuring compliance with IEC nuclear standards and alignment with UK regulatory expectations. In addition to technical delivery, you will provide leadership, mentoring and direction within the team.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead the functional design of control and protection systems for nuclear safety applications
• Define and own C&I functional requirements for SMR safety systems
• Translate plant‑level requirements and operating philosophy into structured control functions
• Provide technical authority and assurance for safety‑related C&I design
• Ensure compliance with relevant nuclear and safety‑critical standards (e.g. IEC 61508, IEC 61513, IEC 61226)
• Support safety‑case development and cross‑disciplinary technical decision‑making
• Lead and coordinate multiple functional design work packages
• Engage with architects, system owners, safety teams and plant engineers
• Apply structured governance, verification and validation approaches
• Coach, mentor and technically lead junior engineers
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to a wide range of stakeholders

Key Skills Required:

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:

• Extensive experience in C&I functional design within safety‑critical industries
• Strong understanding of control theory, process control and system functional architecture
• Experience defining top‑level functional specifications for C&I systems
• Deep knowledge of safety‑system concepts, including redundancy and diversity
• Experience working to nuclear or equivalent safety‑critical standards
• Familiarity with safety analysis techniques such as HAZOP, FMEA and PSA
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to lead technically across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Experience mentoring and coaching engineers

Location:

Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Salary and Package:

The salary band for this role will be between £63,600 – £83,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases, reflecting the seniority and impact of the role.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity up to 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

Selection Process:

The closing date for this role is the 31st May. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.

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