Role: Manager - Reactor Island Operational Design
Location: Warrington, Derby or Manchester, UK based hybrid
Pay: £57,600- £74,500
About the Role
Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking an experienced Manager – Reactor Island Operational Design to lead a team of system designers in developing and substantiating the operational and technical design of the Reactor Island. This is a pivotal role in shaping operating philosophies, integrating engineered safety features, and driving cross-discipline decision-making to deliver a safe, efficient, and commercially competitive product.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and develop a team of engineers to deliver complex design programmes.
Define and optimise Reactor Island operating philosophies, constraints, and emergent behaviours.
Ensure interoperability and Defence-in-Depth across safety features.
Drive design integration and decision-making across systems and disciplines.
Communicate design definitions and manage configuration control.
Support verification and validation planning and evidence generation.
Selection Criteria
We\'re looking for candidates who can demonstrate most of the following:
Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
Strong technical competence in Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) systems design and operations.
Proven ability to lead engineering teams and deliver technical outputs to time, cost, and quality constraints.
Experience in managing ambiguity and influencing stakeholders effectively.
Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
Chartered or working towards chartership (IChemE, IET, IMechE) desirable
Experience with nuclear plant design or operation, particularly PWRs.
Familiarity with environmental, safety, security, and safeguarding principles (E3S), including ALARP and BAT.
Knowledge of systems engineering tools and techniques (e.g., functional modelling, decision analysis).
Key Selection Criteria:
Nuclear Industry Domain Knowledge – PWR design, operations, and safety principles.
System Design Development – Requirements management, operating principles, design documentation.
Programme Delivery – Risk management, milestone delivery, technical supervision.
Organisational Management – Coaching, team development, stakeholder engagement.
Pay and Benefits
We anticipate paying a salary of between £57,600- £74,500 (DOE) 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
Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
£250 - One-off
