Senior Engineer - Severe Accident Analysis

Role Overview: Senior Engineer – Severe Accident Analysis at Rolls‑Royce SMR. The Severe Accident Analysis group is part of the Performance & Analysis team, responsible for analysing low‑probability, high‑consequence accident scenarios under Design Extension Conditions, supporting optimisation of safety‑system design and substantiation of safety claims.

Responsibilities:

• Perform detailed technical assessments of severe accident scenarios impacting the reactor core, reactor coolant system, and containment.
• Address complex thermal‑hydraulic phenomena, including core material degradation, combustible gas generation, steam and hydrogen release, and containment challenges.
• Deliver severe accident analysis for Design Extension Conditions across the SMR plant.
• Apply thermal‑hydraulic knowledge and numerical methods to evaluate accident progression.
• Model severe‑accident scenarios using recognised tools such as MAAP Plan, and manage analysis work packages (scope, schedule, risk).
• Interrogate analysis results and communicate key outcomes to stakeholders.
• Produce high‑quality technical reports supporting safety‑case substantiation.
• Apply RR‑SMR gated review and quality‑assurance processes consistently.
• Act as technical checker for analysis tasks and contribute to evidence production.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across design, safety and analysis functions.
• Work in full compliance with health, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Champion company values including diversity, equity and inclusion.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience performing severe accident or accident‑analysis studies.
• Strong understanding of thermal‑hydraulic behaviour and accident phenomena in nuclear reactors.
• Experience using numerical analysis tools and codes (e.g. MAAP or similar).
• Ability to develop, review and deliver technically complex analysis work packages.
• Experience planning and delivering analysis activities to time, cost and quality.
• Strong technical writing and report‑production skills.
• Ability to communicate complex analysis clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Familiarity with analysis method development and quality‑assurance processes.
• Experience developing or using analysis tools (e.g. Python or MATLAB) – advantageous.
• Knowledge of PWR design, reactor behaviour and accident‑analysis safety‑case principles.
• Understanding of E3S, ALARP and BAT principles.
• Degree‑qualified to Master’s level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Working towards Chartered Engineer or Physicist status (preferred).

Location & Working Arrangement:

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

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary band: £50,650 – £66,500, dependent on skills, values and knowledge.
• Performance‑related bonus up to 12.5%.
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package.
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays – 28 days plus public holidays, with option to buy/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.

Equal Opportunity:

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.