Lead Engineer – Core Design and Performance in Manchester

Rolls‑Royce SMR is pioneering a new generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy through its Small Modular Reactor technology. As the UK’s preferred SMR vendor, Rolls‑Royce SMR is driving innovation to support global net-zero goals, energy security, and industrial decarbonisation. Joining the team means working at the forefront of advanced engineering, shaping sustainable energy solutions with real-world impact.

The Core Design department is responsible for ensuring that the RR SMR reactor core meets all relevant design and safety limits while delivering the performance, capability and economic objectives expected from a world‑class small modular reactor. The team’s work ensures the reactor core meets all design and safety limits, optimises core performance for capability, fuel efficiency and load‑following, and assesses both steady‑state and transient behaviour. They also analyse and model core‑related fault sequences to maintain a robust and safe reactor design.

We are looking for an experienced Lead Engineer – Core Design & Performance to join our Core Design department — a team at the heart of ensuring the technical integrity, safety and performance of our SMR technology.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Leading the development of core modelling and analysis methodologies.
• Providing technical leadership to resolve complex core design challenges across disciplines.
• Developing and articulating the fuel and core safety case position.
• Acting as the primary technical interface with clients, regulators and suppliers on fuel/core topics.
• Shaping the strategic development of the Core Design department’s long‑term capability.
• Collaborating with external research organisations to apply industry best practice.
• Integrating the reactor core design into the wider power station design through close cross-functional collaboration.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on complex technical problem‑solving and wants to influence the future of nuclear engineering.

Key Role Criteria:

• Nuclear Industry Domain Knowledge: Strong understanding of PWR design, plant behaviour and operational philosophy. Experience with nuclear safety, E3S regulations, ALARP and BAT principles.
• Technical Expertise: Experience with design basis assessment methods and UK safety case practices. Expertise in physics analysis tools (e.g., CMS, S5) and sub‑channel and/or kinetics analysis (e.g., VIPRE, CTF, S5K). Strong Python skills for pre‑ and post‑processing and familiarity with software development processes and quality assurance frameworks.
• Technical Task Delivery: Strong planning and organisational capability and strong risk management and progress reporting skills. Proven leadership of complex technical workstreams to successful completion.
• Communication & Teamwork: Experience influencing regulators, clients and suppliers alongside the ability to lead small technical groups. Strong external engagement capability, particularly with research and industry partners.

The Impact: Your work will directly underpin the safety, performance and commercial success of the SMR programme. Success in this role means delivering high‑quality technical assessments and core design solutions, supported by clear planning, effective risk management and proactive progress reporting. You’ll influence team priorities to meet key milestones, provide coaching and technical oversight to junior analysts, and uphold exceptional standards of nuclear safety culture and engineering rigour.

Essential Skills & Experience: We are looking for you to have a strong academic background with a Masters in Nuclear Engineering or Physics (or closely related discipline). Experience in reactor physics and/or thermal hydraulics analysis with an appreciation of nuclear fuel performance phenomena.

What’s In It For You: We anticipate a salary of £57,600- £74,500 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. We also offer excellent benefits including:

• 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 payment for new starters for home office purchases.

You’ll join a forward-thinking organisation that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning, with opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.

Selection Process: The process includes an introductory call with our Talent Acquisition Partner, followed by two interview stages. Due to nuclear industry regulations, additional screening will apply (BPSS, DBS, financial probity).

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.