At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a materials database for clean energy projects.
- Company: Join Rolls-Royce SMR, a leader in innovative energy solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable energy through advanced materials engineering.
- Qualifications: Degree in Materials Science or related field with practical experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 78750 £ per year.
At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are developing a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to deliver clean, affordable energy. As a member of the Materials & Chemistry team within Nuclear Engineering & E3S Analysis, you will play a key role in building the materials data foundation that supports our SMR design.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and governance of the RR SMR materials database, ensuring large datasets are structured, searchable, and aligned with user needs.
- Define and maintain materials data quality levels, supporting engineers to understand data provenance, confidence levels, and appropriate use cases.
- Source, verify, and validate materials data, ensuring full traceability to original test records, specifications, standards, and qualification evidence.
- Ensure seamless integration between the materials database and wider engineering systems, including analysis tools, PLM/ERP environments, configuration management, digital twins, and IT infrastructure.
- Act as the primary interface with software providers, defining requirements and ensuring tooling meets long‑term programme needs.
- Collaborate across the business, gather user requirements and support consistent, high‑quality data usage.
- Coach and guide colleagues in sourcing, interpreting and applying materials data effectively.
Impact
By developing a robust, scalable, and high‑integrity materials data environment, you will accelerate design decisions, improve safety and quality outcomes, and support future product development.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Strong understanding of materials systems, behaviours, and intended uses.
- Degree‑level qualification (or equivalent experience) in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
- Significant practical experience applying materials principles to real‑world engineering problems.
- Proven ability to source, verify, and validate materials data, ensuring traceability and technical adequacy.
- Experience handling large, varied datasets and structuring data clearly within software tools.
- Knowledge of ASME materials‑related requirements and other international codes/standards.
- Experience in nuclear or other highly regulated environments, with understanding of ALARP, BAT, and safety case principles.
- Strong collaboration skills, able to engage suppliers, software partners, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Pay and Benefits
- Salary: £60,000 – £78,750 plus performance‑related bonus up to 12.5%.
- Benefits allowance: £2,200.
- Pension: 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
- Holidays: 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.
- Family Friendly Policies: 39 weeks paid maternity, surrogacy and adoption leave, 6 weeks paternity leave, IVF and Assisted Conception support, neonatal care.
- Private Medical Insurance: BUPA single cover health care.
- Life Assurance: 6× pensionable pay.
- £250 one‑off payment for new starters for home office purchases.
Location & Working Arrangements
Hybrid and flexible working arrangements with offices available in Derby, Warrington, or Manchester. On‑site attendance will be discussed during recruitment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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 can thrive.
Lead Engineer - Materials Database and Standards employer: Rolls-Royce SMR Limited
At Rolls-Royce SMR, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of clean energy solutions. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages professional development. With flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on inclusivity, we ensure that every team member can thrive while contributing to groundbreaking projects in the nuclear engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer - Materials Database and Standards
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Rolls-Royce or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the materials data world. Brush up on your knowledge of ASME requirements and safety principles. Show them you’re not just a candidate, but the candidate they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your practical experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects where you sourced, verified, and validated materials data. Real-world examples will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer - Materials Database and Standards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Engineer role. Highlight your experience with materials data and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about materials engineering and how you can contribute to our SMR project. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working with various teams, make sure to highlight your collaboration skills in your application. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce SMR Limited
✨Know Your Materials Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of materials systems and their behaviours. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles to real-world engineering problems, as this will show your practical experience and depth of knowledge.
✨Data Quality is Key
Familiarise yourself with the importance of data quality levels and traceability. Be prepared to explain how you would ensure that materials data is sourced, verified, and validated effectively, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Collaboration is Crucial
Highlight your collaboration skills by sharing examples of how you've engaged with multidisciplinary teams or suppliers in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to work across the business and gather user requirements effectively.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Show that you grasp the integration of the materials database with wider engineering systems. Be ready to discuss how you would define requirements for software tools and ensure they meet long-term programme needs, which is vital for the success of the SMR project.
