Manager - Core Design & Performance 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 Core Design function is responsible for ensuring the SMR reactor core delivers safe, reliable and optimised performance across all operating conditions. Core Performance sits at the heart of this, bringing together reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and fuel performance to define how the reactor operates in practice.

About the Role:

As Manager – Core Design & Performance, you will lead the development of reactor core performance across normal operation and selected fault conditions. Your scope will span multiple disciplines including reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and fuel performance, ensuring a coherent and integrated approach to core analysis.

You will provide both technical and programme leadership for a team of analysts, defining direction, governance and delivery across a complex and safety‑critical design programme. You will be accountable for the validity of analytical methods, the robustness of performance assessments and the delivery of outputs aligned to environmental, safety, security and safeguards (E3S) principles.

You will play a leading role in shaping core analysis methodologies, tools and best practice, while ensuring outputs meet regulatory expectations and support the overall SMR design programme.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead and drive development of reactor core performance across the SMR programme
• Manage and develop a team of performance engineers (typically 5–10 people)
• Define and deliver programme plans, milestones and schedules for core performance activities
• Provide technical leadership across reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and fuel performance
• Ensure the robustness and validity of analysis methods, models and tools
• Deliver performance analysis and support safety case development
• Define and manage verification, validation and uncertainty quantification approaches
• Establish and maintain quality assurance processes for analysis methodologies
• Manage risks, opportunities and technical issues across your scope
• Develop product cost estimates and manage technical performance attributes
• Apply robust governance processes aligned to programme requirements
• Engage with internal stakeholders, industry bodies and regulators
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with HSE and regulatory standards

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:

• Strong experience in reactor core performance, reactor physics or thermal hydraulics
• Deep understanding of pressurised water reactor (PWR) design, plant behaviour and operations
• Knowledge of nuclear safety case development and UK regulatory practices, including E3S principles (ALARP, BAT)
• Experience developing and applying advanced analysis methods and numerical tools
• Experience with core physics and thermal‑hydraulic modelling, including coupling of multi‑physics tools
• Experience developing analysis methodologies aligned to recognised good practice
• Familiarity with software development processes and quality assurance frameworks
• Proven track record of delivering complex technical programmes to time and budget
• Strong planning, organisation and risk‑management capability
• Excellent technical communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience leading teams, developing people and managing delivery
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams

Qualifications:

• Degree‑qualified in Nuclear Engineering, Physics or a related technical discipline
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)
• Proven experience delivering complex nuclear or safety‑critical engineering programmes

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 in exceptional cases, reflecting the seniority and leadership responsibility 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 7th June 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