Senior Engineer – Core Design and Performance

Locations: UK based hybrid, Derby, Warrington or Manchester

Time type: Full time

Posted on: Posted Yesterday

Job requisition id: JR100465

Role Overview

As a Senior Engineer– Core Design and Performance at Rolls Royce SMR you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of nuclear energy. You will develop and refine neutronic and thermal-hydraulic models, lead methodologies for core analysis, and deliver technical assessments that underpin safety, security, and economic performance. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge reactor technology, collaborating with experts to ensure our SMR reactor core meets stringent design and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine core physics and thermal-hydraulic models.
• Development, quality assurance and optimisation of core analysis methods.
• Deliver technical analysis across physics, kinetics, and/or thermal hydraulics.
• Produce assessments supporting E3S principles and plant economic performance.
• Establish verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification requirements.
• Provide technical supervision and informal coaching to junior analysts.

Key Selection Criteria

We’re looking for candidates who meet most of the following requirements:

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in reactor physics and/or thermal hydraulics analysis.
• Proficiency in Python for pre/post-processing analysis scripts.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of reactor plant design and plant operations.
• Experience with physics and/or thermal hydraulics tools such as CASMO SIMULATE, S5, VIPRE, CTF and S5K.
• Familiarity with nuclear safety case development and regulatory practices.
• Understanding of software development processes and quality assurance.

Skills & Behaviours

• Proven ability to deliver complex technical tasks within agreed timescales.
• Strong planning, organisation, and risk management skills.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• Collaborative approach with experience mentoring junior team members.

Pay and Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £48,000 - £62,500 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 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 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.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

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

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

A career with Rolls-Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Rolls-Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low-carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years. With its Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future.

We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls-Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

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.

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.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

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 can thrive.

What we offer

At Rolls-Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands.

Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls-Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.

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