Engineer – Materials in Derby

Location: Hybrid with flexibility to work from Derby, Manchester or Warrington, with remote working options available.

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are delivering a new generation of low carbon nuclear power that will help provide clean, secure and affordable energy for decades to come. By combining proven nuclear technology with innovative design and advanced manufacturing, we are helping to accelerate the transition to net zero while creating a lasting impact on the future of clean energy.

The Team

You'll join the Materials & Chemistry team within our Nuclear Engineering & E3S Analysis function, a highly influential and collaborative team that supports the full lifecycle of the Rolls-Royce SMR power plant, from concept development through to operation and eventual decommissioning. The team provides specialist expertise across ageing management, materials analysis, manufacturing and welding, and materials data management, working closely with engineering teams, supply chain partners, regulators and industry experts to support the successful delivery of the programme. As a growing capability within the business, the team offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of technical challenges, influence engineering decisions and contribute to one of the UK's most exciting clean energy programmes.

The Role

As a Materials Engineer, you'll play an important role in developing and delivering the materials engineering solutions that underpin the Rolls-Royce SMR design. Working across a broad range of activities, you'll help ensure material selection, manufacturing approaches and through-life performance considerations are fully integrated into engineering decision making. This role offers exposure to complex, safety-critical engineering challenges in a highly regulated environment, providing opportunities to influence design maturity, support regulatory submissions and collaborate with experts from across the business, supply chain and wider nuclear industry.

What We'll Need You to Do

• Apply materials engineering expertise to support the development and delivery of the Rolls-Royce SMR design, ensuring material selection, manufacturing methods and through-life performance considerations are embedded within engineering solutions.
• Deliver high-quality technical assessments, specifications and engineering documentation that support design development, safety case requirements and regulatory engagement activities across the programme.
• Manage multiple work packages within an integrated programme environment, balancing technical excellence with programme commitments while maintaining ownership of quality, schedule and deliverables.
• Collaborate effectively with engineering teams, supply chain partners, industry bodies and external subject matter experts to resolve technical challenges and deliver robust engineering outcomes.
• Support manufacturing and welding assurance activities through specification development, supplier engagement and the investigation of technical issues, ensuring compliance with relevant codes, standards and regulatory expectations.
• Contribute to the development of materials analysis methods, engineering tools and strategic materials knowledge that enable informed decision-making throughout the power plant lifecycle.
• Help drive continuous improvement across the Materials & Chemistry team by sharing knowledge, challenging conventional thinking and supporting the growth of capability within the function.

What You'll Bring

• A degree, or equivalent qualification, in Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, alongside professional recognition or a commitment to working towards chartered status.
• Strong knowledge of materials behaviour, degradation mechanisms, manufacturing and fabrication processes, with an appreciation of how they influence performance throughout an asset's lifecycle.
• Experience producing technical assessments, specifications, requirements or engineering documentation, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders.
• A background in the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry, supported by an understanding of engineering standards, safety case principles and regulatory expectations.
• Practical knowledge of materials manufacturing, welding technologies and supplier assurance activities, together with the confidence to engage credibly with internal and external technical stakeholders.
• A proactive, collaborative and adaptable approach to problem solving, combined with the curiosity to learn, challenge established thinking and contribute positively within a multidisciplinary environment.

We recognise that nobody matches every requirement perfectly, so if this opportunity excites you and you can demonstrate most of the experience we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

Location

This role offers hybrid and flexible working, with regular attendance at our offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington to support collaboration, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements that help our people balance their professional and personal commitments.

What’s in It for You:

• We anticipate paying a salary of between £42,000- £66,500 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 rapidly growing organisation at a critical stage of its development, offering excellent opportunities for learning, professional development, and long-term career progression within a purpose-driven and innovative environment.

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