Safety Systems Manager – Containment Systems Design

Rolls‑Royce SMR is pioneering a new generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy through its Small Modular Reactor technology. As the UK’s preferred SMR vendor, Rolls‑Royce SMR is driving innovation to support global net-zero goals, energy security, and industrial decarbonisation. Joining the team means working at the forefront of advanced engineering, shaping sustainable energy solutions with real-world impact.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Containment Systems design team within Rolls‑Royce SMR’s growing Reactor Safety Systems department. As Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering systems and measures critical to nuclear safety, guiding a talented team of engineers through complex design programmes in a fast-paced, technically challenging environment. You’ll shape solutions that ensure the confinement of radioactive material under all plant conditions, drive innovation in severe accident systems, and influence the future of clean energy. This role demands technical excellence, leadership, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while inspiring confidence across stakeholders and collaboration.

The Reactor Safety Systems team is at the heart of ensuring nuclear safety in our pioneering SMR design. We develop innovative systems and measures that protect people and the environment, enabling safe, reliable, and sustainable energy generation.

We’ll need you to:

• Lead and inspire a team of engineers to deliver complex, safety-critical design programmes.
• Drive the development of containment and severe accident systems, ensuring compliance with nuclear safety standards.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to grow design capability and influence technical strategy.
• Represent Rolls-Royce SMR in regulatory discussions and champion robust governance processes.

Key Role Criteria:

• Strong understanding of nuclear safety and operations, including Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) design and behaviour, reactor plant operations, and compliance with Environmental, Safety, Security and Safeguarding (E3S) principles such as ALARP and BAT.
• Proven ability in system design development, including managing design requirements, applying systems engineering techniques, performing equipment sizing and fluid flow calculations, and producing substantiated design documentation such as P&IDs and technical reports.
• Ability to deliver complex engineering programmes—defining scope, managing risks, monitoring progress, and achieving milestones to time and budget.
• Proven leadership in engineering management, including delivering technical outputs to time, cost, and quality constraints, managing contractors and supply chain agreements, and coaching diverse teams to grow capability and performance.

The Impact

This is a high-profile leadership role in a fast-paced, technically exciting environment. You’ll bring a collaborative mindset, strong technical expertise, and first-class communication skills to help us deliver world leading nuclear technology.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Chartered (or near-chartered) engineer with a degree in a relevant discipline.
• Strong experience in system design development and programme delivery.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams and manage contractors.
• Knowledge of nuclear safety principles, PWR design, and regulatory requirements.

What’s in it for you

We anticipate a salary of £57,600- £74,500 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring.

We also offer excellent benefits including:

• Bonus - Performance related bonus of up to 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance - £2200, 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

You’ll join a forward-thinking organisation that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning, with opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.

Selection Process

The process includes an introductory call with our Talent Acquisition Partner, followed by two interview stages. Due to nuclear industry regulations, additional screening will apply (BPSS, DBS, financial probity).

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.

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, 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.