Senior Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Engineer 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 integration of both safety‑classified and non‑classified C&I systems. The C&I function plays a vital role in ensuring design quality, compliance, operability and engineering coherence across the entire plant architecture.

As a Senior C&I Engineer, you will provide technical expertise across the full lifecycle of C&I systems for the SMR nuclear power plant. This encompasses system architecture, sub‑system design, component specification, design/selection and system integration into the final verified design of the power station. You will work closely with engineering teams across the business to support cross‑functional collaboration and apply structured systems engineering methodologies. You will undertake detailed design assessments and analysis to substantiate technical decisions, ensuring that C&I systems are safe, compliant and aligned with the wider plant architecture.

Your work will involve translating high‑level requirements into technical specifications, ensuring compliance with international standards (IEC 61513, IEC 61226, IEC 61508), producing verification and validation plans, supporting safety case activities and contributing to lifecycle processes and procedures. You may also support or mentor more junior engineers and act as an intelligent customer when engaging with suppliers and contract partners.

We’ll Need You To:

• Translate high‑level functional and performance requirements into C&I system specifications
• Liaise across engineering disciplines to understand system capabilities and ensure robust integration
• Perform design assessments to substantiate that C&I system specifications meet all technical, functional and safety requirements
• Ensure compliance with IEC 61513, IEC 61226, IEC 61508 and other relevant standards
• Produce verification and validation plans, including defining test plans for requirement satisfaction
• Support lifecycle processes, policies and procedures related to C&I systems
• Ensure optimum C&I solutions across procurement, operations and maintenance
• Contribute to the development of safety cases and support engagement with regulators
• Deliver agreed work packages and act as a responsible designer or intelligent customer depending on the task
• Support and mentor less experienced engineers, contributing to capability development across the team

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:

• Previous experience within the nuclear industry is preferable. However, we welcome applicants with a proven record across the design and implementation lifecycle of C&I systems in a highly regulated environment (e.g. Nuclear, Defence, Aerospace, Rail, Oil & Gas), including an understanding of the principles of system and component qualification.
• We recognise that C&I is a broad discipline, and we welcome applicants with design and development experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Systems engineering methodologies, including requirements management and systems integration
• Safety assessments and assurance activities
• Protection systems – hardwired or programmable
• Analogue electronics design and development, including FPGA technologies
• Industrial plant process control systems and automation
• C&I instrumentation
• Data management and processing platforms – DCS, SCADA, PLCs or FPGA‑based systems
• Physical implementation of C&I systems – panels, junction boxes, installation and wiring
• Cabling design and management including specification, routing, termination, installation, commissioning and test procedures
• Environmental qualification – EMI/RFI, DSEAR, ATEX and related performance standards
• Significant knowledge and experience across the lifecycle of safety‑ or process‑critical C&I systems, including specification, design, assessment, verification, testing, installation and commissioning
• Understanding of designing systems resilient to faults (redundancy, diversity, defensive architecture)
• Knowledge and practical application of relevant industry standards and associated regulatory frameworks
• Strong communication skills, able to interpret and present complex C&I information clearly
• Ability to act as an intelligent customer, providing technical oversight of supplier work
• Degree‑qualified in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, control systems or mechatronics; equivalent experience also considered

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds and levels of experience across regulated industries.

Location: Hybrid working with one of the following locations as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington

Salary and Package: The salary band for this will be between £53,700–£70,500 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. There may be some flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases and, in due course, there is the potential for you to develop the role further.

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 - 6x 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, innovation and continuous learning.

Selection Process: The closing date for this role is 31st May 2026. The process will consist of an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, followed by shortlisting and first‑round interviews shortly after.

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