Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout
Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout

Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout

Full-Time 42000 - 58000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting engineering projects for next-gen Small Modular Reactors.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation in the nuclear energy sector.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on low-carbon energy solutions while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Project management experience and strong communication skills are essential.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional development and career growth.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.

Location: Manchester, Warrington or Derby with Hybrid Working

Why we need you

We need you to help deliver one of the most exciting engineering programmes in the UK — the development of our next‑generation Small Modular Reactor (SMR). As a Project Manager within our Reactor Island Layout team, you’ll play a pivotal role in bringing together engineering, procurement, construction and regulatory activities to ensure the successful delivery of key elements of the Reactor Island Installations and Assembly programme. Working closely with engineering design teams and colleagues across Procurement & Supply Chain, you’ll help us deliver on time, on budget and to the highest standards of quality and safety.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • You’ll be at the heart of our Generic Product Development Programme, taking responsibility for managing your own projects while supporting the Senior Project Manager.
  • Drive on‑time, on‑budget delivery across complex engineering work packages.
  • Maintain accurate project plans, working with dedicated planners.
  • Update and track financial forecasts alongside Cost Engineers.
  • Build strong relationships across engineering, procurement, supply chain and programme teams.
  • Monitor and report performance, escalating issues where needed.
  • Create a positive, collaborative environment across all functions.
  • Capture and embed lessons learned.
  • Identify risks and implement proactive mitigations.
  • Champion improvements in processes and ways of working.
  • Support external stakeholder engagement when required.

What You Need To Bring

We’d love to hear from you if you meet around 75% of the below — we know great people don’t always tick every box.

  • Project management expertise
  • Experience delivering complex, multi‑year, multi‑million‑pound engineering projects.
  • Strong planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk and change management skills.
  • Familiarity with project management tools (training provided where needed) such as Primavera P6, MS Project, ARM, SAP, Excel, Power BI and Power Apps.

Technical engineering understanding

  • Solid grasp of engineering principles relevant to large‑scale infrastructure or energy projects.
  • Experience working within regulated industries advantageous.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

  • Ability to influence, collaborate and simplify complex topics for varied audiences.

Industry knowledge

  • Awareness of the SMR or nuclear sector helpful, but not essential.

Leadership behaviours

  • Strong organisational skills and resilience.
  • Ability to solve problems creatively.
  • Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications & Background

  • Engineering degree or significant experience managing engineering projects.
  • Project Management certification (e.g., APM PMQ) or equivalent experience.
  • Understanding of systems or product engineering design.
  • Professional membership beneficial.
  • Knowledge of UK nuclear regulation advantageous but not essential.
  • Strong stakeholder management experience.

What You’ll Get In Return

  • £48,000 – £63,000 salary
  • £2,200 benefits allowance
  • 12.5% bonus opportunity
  • 6x pensionable life assurance
  • 50% income protection
  • 28 days holiday + bank holidays
  • £250 new joiner payment
  • Flexible and part‑time working options available

Working patterns

This role is offered on a 37.5‑hour week, with flexibility built in. We’re happy to discuss part‑time or adjusted working arrangements to support work–life balance.

Security checks

This role requires BPSS clearance. As part of our offer process, we’ll complete standard security and financial checks, including DBS. These are never pass/fail — individual circumstances are always considered. This role will also be subject to US Export Controls which may impact applicants from some nationalities.

Ready to make an impact? If you’re driven by meaningful engineering challenges and want to help shape the future of low‑carbon nuclear energy, 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

Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout employer: Rolls-Royce SMR

Join a pioneering organisation at the forefront of low-carbon nuclear energy, where your role as a Project Manager will be integral to delivering innovative engineering solutions. With a flexible and inclusive work culture, we prioritise employee growth through continuous learning and career advancement opportunities, all while fostering a collaborative environment that values diversity and innovation. Located in Manchester, Warrington, or Derby, you will benefit from hybrid working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.
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Contact Detail:

Rolls-Royce SMR Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your project management experience and how it relates to the role. Highlight your skills in planning, budgeting, and risk management to show you’re the right fit.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from candidates who are excited about making an impact in the engineering world.

We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout

Project Management Expertise
Planning and Scheduling
Budgeting
Risk Management
Change Management
Familiarity with Project Management Tools (Primavera P6, MS Project, ARM, SAP, Excel, Power BI, Power Apps)
Technical Engineering Understanding
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Organisational Skills
Resilience
Ability to Manage Multiple Priorities

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Project Manager role. Highlight your project management expertise and any relevant engineering background to show us you’re the right fit!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your experience aligns with our mission in developing next-generation Small Modular Reactors.

Showcase Your Soft Skills: We value strong interpersonal and communication skills. In your application, give examples of how you've influenced teams or simplified complex topics for different audiences. This will help us see your collaborative spirit!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in the Reactor Island Layout team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce SMR

✨Know Your Projects Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the outcomes. This will show your depth of experience and ability to handle complex engineering tasks.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools

Since familiarity with project management tools like Primavera P6 or MS Project is beneficial, take some time to brush up on these platforms. If you’ve used similar tools, be prepared to explain how they helped you manage budgets and schedules effectively.

✨Demonstrate Your Interpersonal Skills

As a Project Manager, building relationships is key. Think of examples where you successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams or influenced stakeholders. Highlighting your communication skills will show that you can create a positive, collaborative environment.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions about risk management and problem-solving. Prepare scenarios where you identified risks in a project and implemented proactive measures. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Project Manager - Reactor Island Layout
Rolls-Royce SMR
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