Head of Process and Mechanical Reactor Systems

Head of Process and Mechanical Reactor Systems

Head of Process and Mechanical Reactor Systems

We anticipate offering between £80,000 – £105,000

Warrington, OR Derby offices – Hybrid working flexibility

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.

We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Head of Process and Mechanical Reactor Systems to be involved in a game changing role as we strive to make the nuclear industry more diverse.

Reporting to the Chief Design Engineer, the Head of Reactor Process Systems is accountable for development of fully integrated technical solutions, ways of working, and technical governance across the Reactor Island Duty Systems scope, inclusive of:

• The Nuclear Steam Supply System
• Nuclear Auxiliary Systems
• Fuel Handling and Refuelling Systems

The role covers the senior technical and programme leadership of a large department of design engineers, as well as the management of significant design contracts in the supply chain. This includes: the overall direction and governance of the programmes of work under their scope; accepting the validity of the technical solutions developed under their direction; the delivery of a robust design and safety justification, supported by detailed performance and underpinning assessment; ensuring outputs comply with environment, safety, security and safeguards (E3S) objectives; developing the team capabilities and resilience; and resolving emergent issues.

The candidate will be an industry expert in nuclear safety system design with in-depth domain knowledge as well as a broad understanding of other nuclear design functions. The candidate shall also have a proven record of delivery of complex design development programmes.

The Head of Reactor Process Systems is a senior leadership figure within Engineering. It requires domain knowledge and expertise, excellent leadership skills, the ability to inspire and motivate others, and the ability to influence business and strategic direction. They will use their experience and abilities to steer and influence at all levels, displaying a positive and collaborative leadership style, to ensure successful department management.

Success will demand engagement with a wide range of senior internal and external stakeholders, inclusive of industry bodies and regulators, to ensure the analysis programme and safety case are progressed in accordance with broader business and legislative requirements.

Key responsibilities:

• Technically lead and drive their specified elements of the design programme in line with the programme’s policies and processes.
• Act as the company expert and advisor on the design and associated development of the Reactor Safety Systems.
• Manage large multidisciplinary teams to deliver the full scope of the systems and plant design scope across the Reactor Island.
• Own the delivery programme for their accountable scope of supply and create and manage suitable design milestone schedules.
• Deliver the required design documentation/definition to the programme.
• Define and manage the required elements of all lifecycle management aspects of the design scope.
• Manage and agree requirements across the full scope and ensure requirements are satisfied in accordance with any required V&V plans and programmes.
• Develop design and product cost estimates, manage the wider technical attributes for their scope and maintain the associated opportunity and risk registers.
• Develop and implement robust governance processes for their scope of supply, integrating it into the wider power station / programme governance cycle.
• Deliver and own any generated engineering substantiation and safety cases.
• Develop and lead the team to provide the required technical expertise to deliver the defined scope and provide the required support to the business.
• Own the implementation of design configuration control process for their area of accountability, integrated with the wider programme.
• Develop and lead the capability of the business across the system design scope / function.
• Deliver capability strategies to ensure that the business has the capability to deliver all aspects of the system and reactor plant design, covering in house and externally sourced capability.
• Implement the programme Health, Safety and Environment policy on all designated activities.
• Act as delegated authority for the chief design engineer; with explicit focus on delegated responsibility to take key design decisions at reactor plant level, chair technical governance reviews and chair programme/risk reviews.
• The role has delegated signing / approval authority from the Chief Design Engineer related to delivery of their defined scope in line with C3.2.1-5.

Ref 207 Department Engineering – Reactor Plant Systems Location Derby, Manchester, Warrington Employment type Full-time Salary £80,000 – £105,000 Closing date 10/08/2025 Role related

Head of Process and Mechanical Reactor Systems

We anticipate offering between £80,000 – £105,000

Warrington, OR Derby offices – Hybrid working flexibility

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.

We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Head of Process and Mechanical Reactor Systems to be involved in a game changing role as we strive to make the nuclear industry more diverse.

Reporting to the Chief Design Engineer, the Head of Reactor Process Systems is accountable for development of fully integrated technical solutions, ways of working, and technical governance across the Reactor Island Duty Systems scope, inclusive of:

• The Nuclear Steam Supply System
• Nuclear Auxiliary Systems
• Fuel Handling and Refuelling Systems
• Waste Management Systems

The role covers the senior technical and programme leadership of a large department of design engineers, as well as the management of significant design contracts in the supply chain. This includes: the overall direction and governance of the programmes of work under their scope; accepting the validity of the technical solutions developed under their direction; the delivery of a robust design and safety justification, supported by detailed performance and underpinning assessment; ensuring outputs comply with environment, safety, security and safeguards (E3S) objectives; developing the team capabilities and resilience; and resolving emergent issues.

The candidate will be an industry expert in nuclear safety system design with in-depth domain knowledge as well as a broad understanding of other nuclear design functions. The candidate shall also have a proven record of delivery of complex design development programmes.

The Head of Reactor Process Systems is a senior leadership figure within Engineering. It requires domain knowledge and expertise, excellent leadership skills, the ability to inspire and motivate others, and the ability to influence business and strategic direction. They will use their experience and abilities to steer and influence at all levels, displaying a positive and collaborative leadership style, to ensure successful department management.

Success will demand engagement with a wide range of senior internal and external stakeholders, inclusive of industry bodies and regulators, to ensure the analysis programme and safety case are progressed in accordance with broader business and legislative requirements.

Key responsibilities:

• Technically lead and drive their specified elements of the design programme in line with the programme’s policies and processes.
• Act as the company expert and advisor on the design and associated development of the Reactor Safety Systems.
• Manage large multidisciplinary teams to deliver the full scope of the systems and plant design scope across the Reactor Island.
• Own the delivery programme for their accountable scope of supply and create and manage suitable design milestone schedules.
• Deliver the required design documentation/definition to the programme.
• Define and manage the required elements of all lifecycle management aspects of the design scope.
• Manage and agree requirements across the full scope and ensure requirements are satisfied in accordance with any required V&V plans and programmes.
• Develop design and product cost estimates, manage the wider technical attributes for their scope and maintain the associated opportunity and risk registers.
• Develop and implement robust governance processes for their scope of supply, integrating it into the wider power station / programme governance cycle.
• Deliver and own any generated engineering substantiation and safety cases.
• Develop and lead the team to provide the required technical expertise to deliver the defined scope and provide the required support to the business.
• Own the implementation of design configuration control process for their area of accountability, integrated with the wider programme.
• Develop and lead the capability of the business across the system design scope / function.
• Deliver capability strategies to ensure that the business has the capability to deliver all aspects of the system and reactor plant design, covering in house and externally sourced capability.
• Implement the programme Health, Safety and Environment policy on all designated activities.
• Act as delegated authority for the chief design engineer; with explicit focus on delegated responsibility to take key design decisions at reactor plant level, chair technical governance reviews and chair programme/risk reviews.
• The role has delegated signing / approval authority from the Chief Design Engineer related to delivery of their defined scope in line with C3.2.1-5.

Pay and benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £80,000 – £105,000 DOE plus:-

• Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 20%
• Benefits Allowance – £8,500 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 4 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

Company related

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

Rolls-Royce SMR is a rare employer because it blends the world-class brand of Rolls Royce with an exciting start-up that has a hugely challenging mission. We’re doing work that contributes to the survival of the planet. Because of our mission, there’s a pace and energy that is palpable, and our leaders draw you in with their passion, energy, and determination.

We’re one of a handful of employers who can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation – our people are here because of what makes them great, and our job is to help them make the best contribution of their careers doing work they love.

The start-up mentality coupled with our strengths-approach to people means there are opportunities to grow in ways and jobs you probably would be barred from doing in more traditional companies.

Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues

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. Find out more about our inclusion pledge .

Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day 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

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