Manager - Fuel Handling in Derby

Location: Flexible / Hybrid (Warrington, Derby or Manchester)

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are delivering a new generation of low-carbon nuclear power that will provide secure, affordable energy for decades to come. Joining us means becoming part of one of the world’s most exciting engineering programmes, helping to develop technology that will play a significant role in the global transition to clean energy.

The Team

The Fuel Handling Systems team is responsible for developing the systems that safely move, store and manage nuclear fuel throughout the reactor lifecycle. Working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment, you will partner with specialists across systems, safety, licensing, operations and the supply chain to deliver critical programme milestones.

The Role

This is a key technical leadership opportunity within our Engineering function. You will lead the delivery of a defined Fuel Handling Systems design area, ensuring solutions are technically robust, compliant and aligned with programme objectives. Alongside providing technical direction, you will manage engineers, coordinate suppliers and engage with stakeholders across the business to support design maturity and delivery.

What We'll Need You to Do

• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team in the design and delivery of Fuel Handling Systems that are critical to nuclear safety.
• Own delivery of your assigned scope, ensuring programme milestones, quality standards, budgets and resource plans are achieved.
• Develop robust engineering solutions that balance safety, operability, manufacturability and lifecycle considerations.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and guidance to engineers, helping to build capability and strengthen team performance.
• Manage technical interfaces, requirements and stakeholder relationships across engineering, safety, licensing and operations functions.
• Oversee the delivery of work through external suppliers and partners, ensuring commercial and technical expectations are met.
• Support governance, regulatory engagement, design assurance and configuration management activities across your area of responsibility.

What You'll Bring

• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics or a related technical discipline, with Chartered status or a clear pathway towards chartership.
• Significant experience leading engineering teams within nuclear, defence, power generation or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of systems design, requirements management and engineering lifecycle delivery.
• Knowledge of fuel handling equipment, reactor systems, mechanical handling systems or comparable complex plant systems would be advantageous.
• Demonstrable experience delivering complex technical programmes to schedule, budget and quality requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across technical and non-technical audiences.
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach, with the confidence to make decisions, navigate ambiguity and drive continuous improvement.

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 flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and the role may develop further as the programme grows.

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

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