Lead Specialist – Software Development for Engineering Analysis 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.

Rolls‑Royce SMR has an engineering analysis capability covering a broad range of technical disciplines including structural analysis, thermo‑fluid analysis, electrical systems analysis and many more. Some of these play a fundamental role in the safety case for our power station. Software solutions play an increasingly vital role in automating analysis workflows like these, e.g. by streamlining data transfer between disciplines and hence enabling multi‑disciplinary workflows; or by enabling automated design optimisation through analysis.

Today, many of these solutions are created using Python‑based tools, and delivered in a democratised fashion by engineers across the analysis teams. Looking ahead, AI/machine-learning-based methods will need to be adopted to stay at the cutting edge of capability, as part of our mission to deliver higher accuracy, faster analysis cycle times, and greater efficiency across the analysis lifecycle.

About the Role:

As the Lead Specialist – Software Development for Engineering Analysis, you will provide technical leadership for the creation and development of software solutions that support engineering analysis across the organisation. Using your experience of both relevant software development and engineering workflows, you will create and own the vision for the benefits that this sort of software can provide. You will also define and own the strategy for how RR‑SMR develops this type of software, ensuring the outputs are robust, efficient and have appropriate quality assurance given the safety significance.

You will act as the company’s singular technical authority for how this type of software is developed, ensuring all internally developed or supply‑chain‑developed tools meet the highest standards of quality, reliability and governance. A key part of this role is capability building: coaching, mentoring and upskilling engineers undertaking software development, helping them to apply good development practice and ensuring consistent, high‑quality outputs. You will directly build and lead a team of a few dedicated software engineers to look after the more complex tasks, and also support a much broader population of engineers doing some software development as a part of their roles within our analysis discipline teams.

This role forms a part of our engineering specialist community, a carefully curated group that provide technical vision and leadership across our engineering capabilities.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead a small team of dedicated software engineers, who will drive software development projects that are either of higher complexity, or which naturally cut-across multiple teams rather than being contained to a single discipline.
• Develop and own the strategy, tools, processes and guidance required for high‑quality engineering software development.
• Act as the technical authority responsible for the quality of all analysis‑related software created internally or by supply‑chain partners.
• Identify major opportunities for efficiency and quality improvements across analysis workflows and lead initiatives to deliver them.
• Build organisational capability in engineering software development through coaching, mentoring and training.
• Work with our DigIT (Digital + IT) function to ensure the right tools and platforms are available, and to integrate the work in your area with the business's wider programme of digital transformation.
• Support complex and ambiguous problem‑solving activities across analysis domains.
• Engage with external suppliers, industry forums, research communities etc, to positively represent RR‑SMR, and secure us access to leading capabilities, ideas, ways of working etc.
• Influence and shape RR‑SMR’s long‑term strategy for engineering software development, including the use of AI and advanced digital approaches.
• Work collaboratively with specialists across the Engineering Specialist Taxonomy to support cross‑domain challenges and integration.

Key Skills Required:

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

• Strong background developing software (using Python or similar) to automate or streamline typical engineering workflows.
• Deep knowledge of good practice, external standards and quality principles for engineering software development.
• A passion for using software to improve efficiency, accuracy and repeatability in engineering analysis.
• An appreciation for typical engineering analysis/simulation workflows, and the associated user stories.
• Experience applying quality management principles to engineering tools, methods and software workflows.
• Ability to provide robust technical oversight for software developed internally or by suppliers, including in defining the governance processes needed to enable this.
• Ability to coach, mentor and support engineers developing software solutions, and provide formal training as required to upskill engineering teams in software methods and best practice.
• Ability to represent RR‑SMR externally, including with customers, regulators or industry bodies.
• Strong awareness of industry trends, digital advancements and AI‑driven opportunities.
• Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or related discipline.
• Chartered or actively working toward Chartership.

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 £60,000 - £78,750 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be some flexibility in exceptional cases, and the role may evolve as the organisation grows.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity 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 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

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, and a culture that values diversity, collaboration and continuous learning.

Selection Process:

The closing date for this role is 5th July 2026. 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