Senior C&I Engineer - Hardwired 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 is responsible for delivering the systems that monitor, protect and control the SMR power station. Within this, Hardwired Safety Systems play a critical role in ensuring safe and reliable operation of the plant and supporting the overall nuclear safety case.

About the Role:

As a Senior Control & Instrumentation Engineer – Hardwired Safety Systems, you will provide technical expertise across the full lifecycle of Control & Instrumentation systems for the SMR programme. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop complete C&I solutions, spanning system architecture, requirements definition, subsystem design, component specification, integration, verification and validation. Applying structured systems engineering methodologies, you will support key engineering decisions and ensure designs meet functional, operational and nuclear safety requirements. This is an exciting opportunity to work on safety‑critical systems at the heart of a ground‑breaking nuclear power station design.

We’ll Need You To:

• Translate high‑level plant requirements into detailed C&I system specifications
• Work with Process, Mechanical and Systems Engineers to develop integrated solutions
• Assess and substantiate designs against system requirements
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety and regulatory standards
• Produce verification and validation plans, test strategies and evidence packages
• Support the development and implementation of lifecycle policies and procedures for C&I systems
• Contribute to procurement, operations and maintenance considerations throughout design development
• Support safety case production and engagement with regulators and independent assessors
• Manage technical interfaces across engineering disciplines and suppliers
• Act as a responsible designer and intelligent customer where appropriate
• Support and mentor less experienced engineers

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
• Knowledge of safety‑critical or highly regulated industries such as Nuclear, Defence, Aerospace, Rail, Automotive or Oil & Gas
• Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management and systems integration
• Understanding of safety assessments and assurance activities
• Experience with protection systems, hardwired safety systems or programmable safety systems
• Experience in industrial process control systems and automation
• Knowledge of instrumentation systems and associated equipment
• Experience with DCS, SCADA, PLC or FPGA‑based systems
• Knowledge of C&I panels, junction boxes, cabling systems, installation and commissioning activities
• Understanding of environmental qualification requirements such as EMI/RFI, DSEAR or ATEX
• Knowledge of standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 61226 and IEC 61513
• Ability to provide technical oversight and make sound engineering judgements
• Strong communication, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills

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 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 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