Lead Engineer - Normal Operations Source Term in Cheshire, Warrington

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, our mission is simple and ambitious: to deliver clean, affordable and secure energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme brings a British‑designed solution to a global energy and climate challenge—combining proven PWR technology with modular manufacturing to accelerate deployment at scale. We are in prime position to become a world leader in SMRs, shaping one of the UK’s most important green export technologies of the future.

You’ll join our Materials & Chemistry team—more than 20 specialists supporting the entire SMR lifecycle, from conceptual design through to operation and decommissioning. The team provides critical expertise across Reactor Plant & Systems, Components & Mechanical Equipment, Manufacturing Engineering, and the wider supply chain. Your work in the chemistry function will directly influence safety case evidence, plant performance and radiological optimisation, ensuring our SMR design is safe, robust and regulator‑ready.

We are looking for a Lead Engineer – Normal Operations Source Term, an influential technical leader who will own and shape the source‑term strategy for our Small Modular Reactor. This role is vital: you will define, model and justify the radiological inventories and transport behaviours that underpin our safety case, shielding strategy, dose budgets and ALARP demonstrations. Working at the nexus of chemistry, materials, physics and safety, you’ll support both generic design work and emerging customer‑specific needs—helping us bring a new generation of nuclear technology to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the Normal Operations Source Term plan, covering radionuclides in coolant, corrosion products, activation products, fuel‑related products and system deposits.
• Apply operational experience, modelling and ALARP principles to produce robust technical justifications across primary and secondary systems.
• Provide authoritative inputs to the safety case, responding to regulator and customer queries with clarity and evidence.
• Collaborate across the business—Reactor Plant & Systems, Components, ME, HF, shielding, supply chain—to support design integration and radiological optimisation.
• Coach and mentor engineers, conduct technical reviews, and help build long‑term chemistry capability.
• Identify gaps, shape tools/methods, and represent RR‑SMR in customer and external‑body engagements.

This is a role where the impact is measurable and far‑reaching. Your work determines dose rates, shielding needs, maintenance strategies, plant operability and regulatory confidence. You will directly influence the safety and efficiency of a clean‑energy technology designed for deployment around the world. It’s an opportunity to leave your mark on the UK’s most exciting nuclear programme—helping define how a new generation of SMRs will operate safely for decades.

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• A degree (or equivalent) in engineering, chemistry, physics or related discipline.
• Proven experience in nuclear chemistry, source‑term modelling, radiological analysis or reactor coolant/water chemistry.
• Strong ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and build trusted relationships.
• Experience producing high‑quality technical justifications, reports and safety‑case evidence.
• Understanding of radionuclide behaviour (fission, actinide, corrosion & activation products) and contamination transport mechanisms.

This role can be based at our Derby, Warrington or Manchester offices with regular office attendance. Typical office presence is discussed individually during the recruitment process, recognising that flexibility supports everyone’s best performance.

Pay And Benefits

• We anticipate paying a salary of between £60,000-£78,750 plus:
• 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
• Family Friendly Policies including: 39 weeks paid Maternity, Surrogacy and Adoption Leave, 6 weeks Paternity Leave, IVF and Assisted Conception, Neonatal Care and more
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
• £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases

Why Join Us?

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