Lead Engineer - Structures

Hybrid working with one of the following locations as primary: Derby, Warrington or Manchester.

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge. We are uniquely positioned to become a global leader in SMR technology and the UK’s premier green energy export, helping to create a more secure, sustainable and low‑carbon energy future.

The Team

The Structures team sits at the centre of Reactor Island design, delivering the engineering solutions that underpin the safety, resilience and performance of our power plants. Working across complex structural challenges, the team combines technical excellence, innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration to develop first-of-a-kind nuclear infrastructure.

The Role

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a Lead Engineer - Structures to support our Senior Manager - Structures. Leading technical workstreams and a team of engineers and secondees, this role will take ownership of complex structural engineering challenges within the Containment area of the plant, helping to deliver safe, robust and integrated design solutions across one of the most critical parts of the reactor. This is a highly influential technical leadership role, responsible for leading structural engineering activities across the Containment programme area whilst supporting the development of engineering capability and project delivery. You’ll work at the heart of Reactor Island design, providing technical leadership on complex structural engineering challenges, coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces and ensuring the successful delivery of safe, robust and integrated engineering solutions.

More Specifically, We’ll Look To You For:

• Technical Leadership & Engineering Delivery
  • Leading structural engineering activities across the Containment programme area, ensuring technical solutions are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
  • Providing technical leadership on complex structural engineering challenges, supporting the development, justification and integration of design solutions.
  • Leading engineering work packages from concept through to detailed design, managing technical scope, programme priorities and engineering risks.
  • Resolving complex engineering challenges, driving robust decision‑making and providing technical direction to colleagues and project teams.
• Structural Analysis, Design & Substantiation
  • Delivering structural analysis, design and substantiation activities associated with reinforced concrete and steel structures within the Reactor Island and Containment areas.
  • Supporting the development and justification of structures subject to seismic loading, blast effects, and fire scenarios.
  • Supporting the development and management of engineering requirements, assumptions, risks and design substantiation documentation.
  • Ensuring engineering solutions comply with relevant codes, standards and governance requirements.
• Multidisciplinary Integration
  • Coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces across engineering, safety case and design teams to ensure aligned and fully integrated outcomes.
  • Managing technical interfaces with Safety Case, Systems, Mechanical and Plant Integration teams to ensure designs meet functional and regulatory requirements.
  • Preparing and presenting technical solutions through governance reviews, design assessments and stakeholder scrutiny processes.
• Safety, Quality & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensuring conventional health and safety considerations are incorporated into engineering solutions through safe‑by‑design principles and the practical application of CDM requirements.
  • Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen engineering capability, quality and programme performance.
  • Supporting the wider leadership team in maintaining a collaborative, supportive and enjoyable working environment where individuals can thrive and perform at their best.
• Leadership & Development
  • Leading and supporting a team of engineers and secondees.
  • Providing coaching, mentoring and day‑to‑day technical leadership.
  • Supporting the development of engineering capability across the structures function.
  • Fostering a positive, collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Why Join Rolls‑Royce SMR?

This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on one of the UK’s most exciting clean energy programmes. You’ll help solve some of the most challenging structural engineering problems in the nuclear industry whilst contributing to the delivery of first‑of‑a‑kind infrastructure that will support the future of low‑carbon energy generation. Working alongside industry‑leading specialists, you’ll have the opportunity to further develop your leadership capability and technical expertise in a highly innovative environment.

We’re Looking For

Essential

• Chartered Civil Engineer or Chartered Structural Engineer status, or equivalent demonstrable experience delivering complex structural engineering programmes.
• Experience leading civil and structural engineering teams and delivering engineering packages within nuclear, defence, energy or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong expertise in structural analysis, design and substantiation.
• Experience applying relevant engineering codes, standards and governance requirements.
• Knowledge of complex loading scenarios and hazard assessment.
• Demonstrable experience delivering robust engineering solutions in challenging environments.
• Experience engaging with multidisciplinary stakeholders, leading interfaces and presenting technical solutions through review and assurance processes.

Desirable

• Understanding of nuclear safety case development.
• Experience in seismic engineering.
• Knowledge of blast loading and fire engineering.
• Experience working with safety‑significant structures.
• Previous experience within the nuclear sector.

What’s In It For Me?

• £60,000‑£78,750 depending on skills, experience and knowledge.
• Performance‑related target opportunity of 12.5%.
• £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package.
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• 28 days’ annual leave plus public holidays.
• 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 also benefit from:

• Opportunities to work on one of the UK’s most exciting clean energy programmes.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment.
• The chance to collaborate with industry‑leading engineering specialists and technical experts.
• The opportunity to contribute to nationally significant low‑carbon energy infrastructure.

Selection Process

The selection process is expected to consist of:

• Introductory discussion with the Talent Acquisition team.
• Technical interview stage.
• Competency‑based interview stage.

Due to the regulatory requirements of the nuclear sector, successful candidates will be required to complete:

• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• A financial probity check.

Please note this role is subject to Export Control restrictions and additional eligibility requirements may apply.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

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. We are happy to discuss flexible working. We will also make workplace adjustments for disabled employees if these are needed to help them perform at their best in the role, and we are happy to discuss this once a job offer has been made.

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 and experiences who can bring fresh perspectives to our growing business.

Pay Range: £60,000.00 - £78,750.00

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.