Senior Layout Engineer - Containment Block

Locations: Hybrid working with one of the following locations as primary: Derby, Warrington or Manchester.

Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge. We are in pole position to become a world leader in SMRs and the UK's premier green export technology.

The Team

The Reactor Island Layout and Installations team is responsible for developing the integrated layouts, modules and installation strategies that sit at the heart of the Rolls‑Royce SMR design. Working across a wide range of engineering disciplines, the team combines systems thinking, modularisation and advanced engineering practices to create a plant that is safe, buildable, operable and licensable, whilst supporting our ambitious deployment targets.

The Opportunity

In this context, we are looking for a Senior Layout Engineer – Containment Block to support our Containment Block Layout Manager. Working within the Reactor Island Installations and Assemblies team, you will be responsible for leading the development of an identified layout scope within the Containment Block, covering Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) modules and installation assemblies. This is a critical role that will influence how the plant is designed, manufactured, installed, commissioned and operated throughout its lifecycle.

We'll need you to:

• Lead the development of Containment Block layouts, installation assemblies and modularisation solutions, ensuring designs meet safety, performance, operability and maintainability requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering activities across Systems, Components, Mechanical Handling, Civil, Structural, Architecture, Human Factors, Operations and Supply Chain teams to deliver integrated engineering solutions.
• Develop and optimise plant layouts, equipment arrangements, cable routing, piping routes, HVAC systems and installation methodologies within a highly constrained and complex nuclear environment.
• Drive technical decision-making through concept development, trade‑off studies and detailed design activities, ensuring engineering solutions are robust, balanced and aligned with programme objectives.
• Manage interfaces between multiple engineering disciplines, proactively identifying integration challenges, resolving clashes and ensuring design maturity is achieved in line with programme milestones.
• Develop manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance strategies that support the Rolls‑Royce SMR modular build philosophy and overall delivery model.
• Maintain ownership of technical risks, assumptions, actions and lessons learned, ensuring issues are escalated, managed and resolved effectively.
• Support engineering governance and gated design reviews, presenting design solutions and technical recommendations to senior stakeholders and technical authorities.
• Work collaboratively with licensing, safety case and regulatory teams to support the UK Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process and ensure design substantiation requirements are met.
• Produce, review and approve high‑quality technical documentation, including engineering reports, design substantiation documents, interface documents and regulatory submissions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across layout, installation and modularisation activities, incorporating lessons learned and industry best practice into future designs.
• Act as a visible technical leader within the programme, building strong working relationships across engineering disciplines while promoting collaboration, innovation and delivery excellence.

As you can see, this is a pivotal role within our engineering organisation. You'll bring strong technical judgement, a systems‑thinking mindset and the ability to influence stakeholders across a broad range of engineering disciplines, alongside:

What We're Looking For

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, together with Chartered Engineer status or a clear pathway towards professional registration.
• Experience developing complex layout and installation solutions, managing multidisciplinary interfaces and delivering engineering programmes from concept through detailed design.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, engineering governance, technical risk management and design review processes.
• Proven experience coordinating stakeholders and technical specialists across multiple engineering disciplines to achieve successful programme outcomes.
• Experience producing and reviewing technical documentation, engineering reports and design substantiation packages within a regulated environment.
• Ideally, you'll also have experience in:
• Layout and routing of mechanical systems, including piping systems, cable management systems and ventilation/HVAC systems within complex industrial facilities.
• Nuclear Fuel Route design, Reactor Island integration, Mechanical Handling systems or other highly integrated nuclear plant systems.
• Supporting Generic Design Assessment (GDA), nuclear licensing activities or equivalent regulatory approval processes.
• Optimising layouts for constructability, operability, maintainability, inspection, commissioning and through‑life operation.
• Modular construction methodologies, installation sequencing, off‑site manufacture and modern methods of construction.
• Applying engineering judgement to resolve complex technical challenges involving safety, quality, cost and programme considerations.

Location

We offer hybrid and flexible working but will expect regular attendance at one of our offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington, together with occasional travel to support programme activities, stakeholder engagement and design reviews.

What's In It For Me?

We anticipate paying a salary of between £50,650-£66,500 DOE 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 5 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

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness and innovation.

Our culture

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture.

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

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, a career with Rolls‑Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission.