Senior Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Engineer

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and are creating a new class of small modular reactors. The Control & Instrumentation (C&I) team delivers safe, secure and technically robust control, protection and monitoring systems across the power station. These systems underpin reactor safety, plant operation and integration of safety‑classified and non‑classified C&I systems and play 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, including system architecture, subsystem design, component specification, design/selection and system integration into the final verified design of the power station.

• 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.

• Previous experience within the nuclear industry is preferable, but 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) is sought.
• 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.

Hybrid working with the primary site at either Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Salary band: £53,700–£70,500, dependent on skills, values and knowledge.

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.

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.