Decommissioning Lead in Derby

Location: Hybrid with flexibility to be based from any Rolls-Royce SMR location, including Warrington, Derby or Manchester.

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we're delivering a new generation of low-carbon nuclear power that will help secure the world's energy future. By combining proven nuclear technology with innovative engineering and advanced manufacturing, we're creating a cleaner, more affordable and sustainable source of energy for generations to come.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the entire lifecycle of our power station design, ensuring that decommissioning considerations are embedded from day one and supporting the delivery of a truly world-class nuclear programme.

The Team

You'll join a specialist team within the Engineering Directorate responsible for ensuring decommissioning principles are integrated across the Rolls-Royce SMR Power Station design. Working alongside a small team of subject matter experts, you'll collaborate closely with design, safety, environmental and systems engineering teams to influence critical decisions across the programme. This is a highly visible role with regular engagement across the business, regulators, customers and external stakeholders.

The Role

As Power Station Decommissioning Lead, you will be the technical authority for decommissioning within the Engineering Directorate, championing a design-for-decommissioning approach across the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. You'll develop and evolve decommissioning strategies, influence engineering decisions and provide technical leadership to ensure the power station can be safely dismantled at the end of its operational life.

What We'll Need You to Do

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of decommissioning strategies that support the safe and efficient end-of-life dismantling of the Rolls-Royce SMR Power Station.
• Act as the engineering lead for decommissioning, ensuring design-for-decommissioning principles are embedded throughout the design lifecycle.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to identify, manage and reduce decommissioning risks and waste generation.
• Develop practical assessment methodologies, technical guidance and supporting documentation for programme decision-making.
• Produce and oversee high-quality technical reports and assessments supporting regulatory submissions and programme milestones.
• Build trusted relationships with regulators, customers and key stakeholders, providing technically credible advice.
• Drive adoption of industry best practice, emerging technologies and innovative approaches to enhance future decommissioning capability.

What You'll Bring

• Experience within nuclear decommissioning, waste management, nuclear operations, lifecycle management or the retirement of complex industrial assets.
• A strong understanding of decommissioning strategy development and design-for-decommissioning principles.
• Experience working closely with engineering design teams and influencing technical decisions within complex programmes.
• Knowledge of decommissioning methodologies, waste minimisation techniques, risk reduction principles and relevant regulations.
• The ability to develop, review and communicate complex technical information to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the confidence to work effectively with regulators, customers and senior leaders.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to solve complex challenges and influence programme outcomes.

Location

This role can be based from any Rolls-Royce SMR office location with hybrid working arrangements available. Regular collaboration with teams across Warrington, Derby and Manchester will be alongside occasional travel to other business locations as needed.

Salary and Package:

The salary band for this role will be between £60,000.00 - £78,750.00 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility in exceptional cases, and the role may develop further as the programme grows.

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

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