Senior Materials Engineer - Welding and Manufacturing in Derby

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme is a British solution to a global energy challenge, designed to accelerate decarbonisation while supporting energy security. We are uniquely positioned to become a world leader in SMR technology and one of the UK’s most exciting green export opportunities—combining proven nuclear engineering with advanced modular manufacturing to transform how low‑carbon power is delivered.

The Team

You’ll be joining the Materials & Chemistry team. This cross‑functional group supports the entire lifecycle of the RR‑SMR—from concept design to decommissioning—providing essential expertise across Reactor Plant & Systems, Components & Mechanical Equipment, Manufacturing Engineering, the Conventional Island, and both internal and external supply chain stakeholders. Your contribution will help shape the safety, integrity, and performance of the SMR design.

Role Summary

We are recruiting a Senior Materials Engineer – Welding & Manufacturing, a key technical role responsible for developing, assuring, and integrating the welding and manufacturing requirements that underpin the RR‑SMR design. This role is essential to ensuring that all structural materials, welds, special processes, and manufacturing routes meet our expectations for nuclear‑grade integrity. You will act as a technical partner to our supply chain, and a trusted advisor within multidisciplinary engineering teams. Your contribution will significantly influence compliance, manufacturability, and long‑term plant safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and delivery of material specifications and providing expert manufacturing support.
• Acting as technical partner for suppliers who design and manufacture metallic components—reviewing and approving Methods of Manufacture, documentation packs, data cards, and final documentation.
• Supporting the design and welding teams on weld consumable specification, supply, and control.
• Conducting or supporting special process audits (such as heat treatment, forging, welding) and maintaining oversight of supplier special processes and non‑conformance resolution.
• Collaborating closely with internal engineering and project stakeholders, representing RR‑SMR with suppliers and industry bodies.

The Impact

In this role, you will directly contribute to the integrity and manufacturability of the RR‑SMR’s key components. Your expertise ensures that welded structures, fabrication processes, and material properties meet stringent nuclear requirements. This role influences safety, schedule, supply chain readiness, and component performance—making it a high‑impact opportunity to shape how SMRs are manufactured and delivered.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline (materials, welding, mechanical, manufacturing, etc.).
• Strong understanding of materials systems, their behaviour, and intended nuclear uses.
• Practical experience in materials manufacturing, including interpretation of manufacturing routes, special process controls, forging, fabrication, welding, post‑weld heat treatment, and documentation packs.
• Experience supporting or conducting technical audits of special processes.
• Experience working in a regulated industry, ideally nuclear or power generation. (Experience with PWR environments, ALARP/BAT, and ASME compliance beneficial.)
• Strong communication skills and proven ability to present technical information clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Location & Working Pattern

We offer a flexible hybrid working model. This role can be based in Derby, Warrington or Manchester, with the frequency of office attendance agreed during the recruitment process based on individual and business needs.

Pay and Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £50,650 - £66,500 plus:

• Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
• £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases

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