At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and govern engineering standards for safe, scalable nuclear delivery.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation delivering clean, affordable energy solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while driving innovation and inclusivity.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience in standards governance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 78750 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working with your primary office location being whichever is closest to you: Derby, Warrington or Manchester.
Company: Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy crisis, placing us at the forefront of delivering the UK’s next generation of low-carbon energy and flagship green export technology.
The Team: Engineering Governance and Process sits at the centre of our engineering ecosystem, shaping how we deliver safe, repeatable and scalable plant design. The team drives consistency, innovation, and discipline across our engineering community, ensuring standards underpin every decision we make.
Summary: In this context, we are looking for an Engineering Capability Lead – Standards, reporting to the Senior Manager – Engineering Governance and Process. As an individual contributor influencing a broad stakeholder group, this role will define, embed and evolve our standards framework—playing a critical role in delivering a safe, compliant and repeatable SMR design.
Key Deliverables:
- Shaping and governing the organisation-wide approach to engineering standards, ensuring consistent selection and application.
- Developing and embedding processes for managing International and bespoke standards, ensuring traceability and compliance.
- Overseeing the authoring, review and lifecycle control of internal standards, supporting quality and usability.
- Enabling access to standards across our engineering community whilst contributing to industry-wide harmonisation and best practice.
This is a pivotal, high-impact role where you’ll bring strategic thinking, credibility and influencing capability to shape how engineering standards enable safe, scalable nuclear delivery.
Skills / Experience:
- A degree in Engineering (or equivalent practical experience within a standards or technical governance environment).
- Experience shaping standards frameworks and driving adoption across complex engineering organisations.
- Strong knowledge of engineering standards, regulatory alignment, and technical documentation.
- Experience applying systems thinking, audit/assurance principles, and translating requirements into structured, practical solutions.
Location: We offer flexible and hybrid working, with an expectation to attend a Rolls-Royce SMR office location regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
What’s in it for me:
- Salary of between £60,000-£78,750.
- Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 7%.
- 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.
Selection Process:
The selection process will include an initial conversation with Talent Acquisition followed by two interview stages. Due to the nature of our industry, candidates will be required to obtain BPSS clearance and complete DBS and financial probity checks.
Statements:
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 ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments where required.
Confidence can sometimes hold us back. There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate—if you feel you meet around 75% of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.
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.
Engineering Capability Lead - Standards employer: Rolls-Royce SMR
Join a pioneering organisation dedicated to delivering clean, affordable energy through innovative Small Modular Reactor technology. With a flexible and inclusive work culture, we prioritise employee growth and development, offering opportunities for career advancement in a supportive environment that values diversity and continuous learning. Located in Derby, Warrington, or Manchester, you will be part of a team that shapes the future of low-carbon energy while enjoying competitive benefits and a commitment to work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Capability Lead - Standards
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Engineering Capability Lead - Standards role you’re after at Rolls-Royce SMR.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Rolls-Royce SMR.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Engineering Capability Lead - Standards at Rolls-Royce SMR, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Capability Lead - Standards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Engineering Capability Lead - Standards, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Rolls-Royce SMR a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Rolls-Royce SMR specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce SMR
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Rolls-Royce SMR, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Rolls-Royce SMR want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.