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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in delivering innovative civil and structural engineering solutions for clean energy.
- Company: Join a pioneering company at the forefront of green nuclear technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global energy challenges while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering with significant industry experience required.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 85600 - 108400 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working with primary locations in Derby, Warrington or Manchester; flexible arrangements for other locations.
Our Mission: Deliver clean, affordable energy for all. The Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, positioning the UK to become a world leader in SMRs and a premier exporter of green nuclear technology.
The Team: The high performing Civil & Structural Engineering team underpins the physical delivery of the SMR, owning all above- and below-ground structures and infrastructure that define the power station. The team balances regulatory rigour with innovation, developing repeatable, modular design solutions that enable safe, scalable nuclear deployment across the UK and internationally.
The Role: Senior leader and technical authority in civil and structural discipline; reports to the Chief Design Engineer; leads and influences a team of 75+ engineers. Responsible for delivering projects on time, on budget, to the highest technical standards, while prioritising team wellbeing. Operates across the full engineering lifecycle and coordinates cross‑functional interfaces across the nuclear design and delivery organisation.
What We’ll Need You To Do:
- Provide senior‑level technical leadership and governance for all civil and structural engineering activities; chair reviews and act as decision‑making authority on complex, high‑risk issues.
- Lead, inspire, motivate and develop large teams, ensuring safe, high‑quality delivery against programme, cost, and schedule commitments.
- Drive integration across engineering and non‑engineering disciplines, managing interfaces between structures, plant systems, construction, and site development.
- Work across the business to drive initiatives related to procurement, supply‑chain, legal industrialisation and other civil and structural engineering matters.
- Shape and support civil and structural safety cases, engaging confidently with nuclear and environmental regulators, industry bodies, clients and suppliers to secure design acceptance and implementation.
Why This Role Matters: This highly visible leadership role requires strategic judgement, credibility and resilience. You will navigate ambiguity, evolving requirements and international growth, while setting direction and standards for a critical engineering capability.
What You’ll Bring:
- A degree in Civil and/or Structural Engineering and Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Fellow status, or equivalent, with ICE or IStructE.
- Significant experience delivering civil and structural engineering within highly regulated industries and major infrastructure or energy programmes.
- Deep technical expertise across reinforced concrete and steel design, ideally including nuclear applications and exposure to international codes and standards.
- Experience in safety case development, regulatory engagement, programme governance and senior stakeholder influence.
Location & Flexibility: Flexible working arrangements with travel supported as necessary. Regular travel to UK offices and project locations will be required to support collaboration and delivery.
What’s In It For You:
- Salary: £85,600 – £108,400
- Performance‑related bonus target: 30%
- Benefits Allowance: £8,500 per annum
- Pension: 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
- Holidays: 28 days + public holidays, with option to buy or sell up to 4 days.
- Private medical insurance – BUPA single cover
- Life assurance – 6 × pensionable pay
- £250 one‑off payment for new starters for home‑office purchases
EEO Statement: We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer. Flexible working is supported, and reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and employment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Clearance Requirements: All offers are subject to BPSS clearance, DBS checks and financial probity screening.
Assistant Chief Design Engineer employer: Rolls-Royce SMR
Contact Detail:
Rolls-Royce SMR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Chief Design Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the civil and structural engineering field, especially those who work with SMRs. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and motivate teams while delivering projects on time and within budget.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with safety case development and regulatory engagement during interviews. Highlight specific examples where you've navigated complex issues and influenced senior stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chief Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Chief Design Engineer role. Highlight your experience in civil and structural engineering, especially in regulated industries. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of delivering clean, affordable energy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention your leadership experience and technical expertise in nuclear applications.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce SMR
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As an Assistant Chief Design Engineer, you'll need to showcase your deep technical expertise in civil and structural engineering. Brush up on reinforced concrete and steel design principles, especially in relation to nuclear applications. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires you to lead and inspire a large team. Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex issues or driven integration across different disciplines.
✨Engage with Regulatory Knowledge
Since you'll be engaging with nuclear and environmental regulators, it's crucial to understand the regulatory landscape. Familiarise yourself with relevant codes and standards, and be prepared to discuss how you've handled safety case development and regulatory engagement in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This position demands strategic judgement and the ability to navigate ambiguity. Prepare to discuss how you've set direction and standards in past projects, especially in relation to programme governance and stakeholder influence. Highlight your experience in managing interfaces between structures and plant systems.