Senior C&I Engineer – Fire & HVAC C&I 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 Control & Instrumentation (C&I) team is responsible for delivering safe, secure and technically robust control, protection and monitoring systems across the power station. These systems underpin reactor safety, plant operation and the integration of both safety‑classified and non‑classified C&I systems. C&I engineering ensures compliance, quality and architectural coherence across the complete plant design.

As a Senior C&I Engineer – Fire & HVAC C&I Systems, you will provide technical expertise across the full design and development lifecycle of the Fire Detection and Suppression C&I System and HVAC C&I System for the SMR nuclear power plant. This includes system architecture, subsystem design, component specification, equipment selection and integration to realise the fully verified design of the power station. You will drive cross‑functional engineering collaboration, support structured systems engineering methodologies and ensure technical decisions are robust, compliant and aligned with overall plant architecture and programme objectives.

Working closely with safety, process, mechanical and systems engineering teams, you will play a key role in translating plant requirements into effective Fire Detection, Suppression and HVAC control solutions that support the safe and efficient operation of the power station.

We’ll Need You To:

• Translate high‑level requirements into Fire Detection and Suppression C&I System and HVAC C&I System specifications
• Liaise across engineering disciplines to integrate system functionality and performance requirements
• Assess and substantiate that system designs meet technical and regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with applicable international standards and industry regulations
• Produce verification and validation plans, including test strategies and evidence packages
• Support lifecycle policies and procedures related to Fire and HVAC C&I system development
• Support procurement, commissioning, operations and maintenance considerations
• Contribute to safety case development and regulatory engagement activities
• Act as a responsible designer and intelligent customer where appropriate
• Deliver agreed programmes of work and manage technical interfaces with suppliers
• Coach and mentor less experienced engineers across the discipline

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:

• Experience delivering C&I systems across the design and implementation lifecycle
• Experience working within highly regulated industries such as Nuclear, Defence, Aerospace, Rail, Automotive or Oil & Gas
• Knowledge of systems engineering methodologies, including requirements management and systems integration
• Experience supporting safety assessments and assurance activities
• Knowledge of protection systems, either hardwired or programmable
• Experience with industrial process control systems and automation
• Experience with instrumentation systems and associated technologies
• Knowledge of data management and processing platforms such as DCS, SCADA, PLCs or FPGA‑based systems
• Experience with the physical integration of C&I equipment, including panels, junction boxes, wiring and installation design
• Understanding of cabling design, routing, terminations, commissioning and testing activities
• Knowledge of environmental qualification requirements such as EMI/RFI, DSEAR and ATEX
• Strong understanding of designing systems resilient to faults through redundancy and diversity principles
• Knowledge of applicable C&I standards including IEC 61513, IEC 61226 and IEC 61508
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience providing technical oversight and acting as an intelligent customer

Qualifications:

Degree‑qualified in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Instrumentation, Control Systems, Mechatronics or a related discipline. Equivalent experience will also be considered. Chartered Engineer status, or working towards Chartered status, is desirable.

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 £50,650 – £66,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases.

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 5 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 16th August 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