Senior Engineer - Severe Accident Analysis in Manchester

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.

The Performance & Analysis team is the centre of excellence for engineering analysis used to substantiate the performance and safety of the SMR power station. Within this team, the Severe Accident Analysis group is responsible for analysing low‐probability, high‐consequence accident scenarios under Design Extension Conditions, supporting optimisation of safety‐system design and the substantiation of safety claims.

About the Role:

As a Senior Engineer – Severe Accident Analysis, you will perform detailed technical assessments of severe accident scenarios impacting the reactor core, reactor coolant system and containment. These scenarios may include loss‐of‐coolant events, intact‐circuit faults, bypass and secondary faults, and shutdown conditions leading to core degradation. Your work will address complex thermal‐hydraulic phenomena, including core material degradation, generation of combustible gases, release and transport of steam and hydrogen, and conditions that could challenge containment and safety systems. The analysis outputs play a critical role in informing safety‐system design decisions and demonstrating robust safety margins within the SMR safety case.

You will take responsibility for progressing analysis tasks in line with programme milestones, applying the RR‐SMR gated review process and ensuring all deliverables meet required quality and governance standards. You will collaborate with a wide range of technical and non‐technical stakeholders and support the continued development of severe‐accident analysis capability within the team.

We’ll Need You To:

• Deliver severe accident analysis for Design Extension Conditions across the SMR plant
• Apply thermal‐hydraulic knowledge and numerical methods to evaluate accident progression
• Perform severe‐accident modelling using recognised tools such as MAAP
• Plan and manage analysis work packages, including scope, schedule and 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 production of quality evidence
• 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

Key Skills Required:

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:

• 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

We welcome applicants from nuclear and other safety‐critical industries, including defence, aerospace and energy.

Location: Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington

Salary and Package: The salary band for this role will be between £50,650 – £66,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and the role may develop further over time.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‐related target opportunity up to 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 the ability to buy or 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

You’ll be joining a forward‐thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness and innovation. We offer a flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment, opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business, and a culture that values collaboration and continuous learning.

Selection Process: The closing date for this role is 7th June 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.

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 has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

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