Thermofluids Engineer (Fault Analysis) 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 Performance & Analysis team is the centre of excellence for the engineering analysis used to substantiate the performance and safety of the SMR power station. Within this function, the Reactor Plant Performance team carries out transient and fault analysis to understand plant behaviour under a wide range of operating and faulted conditions.

As a Thermofluids Engineer (Fault Analysis), you will model reactor plant behaviour during intact circuit fault scenarios, developing a detailed understanding of plant response and the thermal‑hydraulic phenomena that drive it. Your work will help demonstrate safe reactor operation and support optimisation of safety‑system design.

You will produce analysis models and simulations that assess reactor performance during fault scenarios, working closely with system designers, safety engineers and analysts across the business. Analysis outputs form a key input to the SMR safety case and underpin the overall substantiation of the power‑station design.

Given the safety‑critical nature of this work, you will follow robust quality‑management processes and use automated Python‑based workflows to interface with analysis codes and ensure outputs remain within validated envelopes. There are also opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement of analysis methods and tools as your experience grows.

You will collaborate closely with in‑house test teams developing large‑scale test rigs, supporting benchmarking of analysis tools against experimental data and contributing to test‑campaign development.

We’ll Need You To:

• Deliver intact circuit fault analysis to support reactor safety substantiation
• Develop and run thermal‑hydraulic models of reactor and plant systems
• Analyse reactor response during fault and transient conditions
• Produce high‑quality technical reports and analysis documentation for the safety case
• Apply rigorous quality‑assurance, verification and validation processes
• Use automated Python toolsets to support analysis execution and checking
• Support benchmarking and validation activities using test data
• Plan and manage your own analysis work to meet programme milestones
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering and non‑engineering teams
• Communicate complex technical findings clearly and confidently

Key Skills Required:

• Experience applying a structured, methodical approach to fluid or thermal analysis
• Good understanding of fluid dynamics and heat‑transfer processes
• Experience writing technical analysis reports or contributing to safety‑case documentation
• Experience using industry‑standard thermal‑hydraulic or fluids analysis tools
• Experience or interest in reactor plant transient or fault analysis
• Familiarity with Python for analysis workflows or tool development
• Understanding of analysis quality assurance, verification and validation
• Knowledge of nuclear plant systems, PWR behaviour or safety‑case principles (desirable but not essential)
• Experience working in safety‑critical or regulated industries (beneficial)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Degree‑qualified in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related discipline

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 £42,000–£55,150 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 over time.

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 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 21st June 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