Senior Manager (Design Engineering)

Help us to make a world of difference. Urenco is a global leader in the production of low carbon energy. We work at the cutting edge of the transition to a sustainable, net zero world.

We are seeking a Senior Manager (Design Engineering) to support the Head of Design Engineering in delivering departmental strategy and objectives. Based at our Capenhurst site, you will play a key leadership role within the Engineering & Design Authority (EDA), driving engineering excellence, innovation, and governance across the organisation.

The UTD Engineering & Design Authority (EDA) is a global function responsible for:

• Plant Design and Engineering delivery
• Safety Basis of Design
• Design Assurance and Governance
• Engineering standards and best practice
• Learning and Development

This function leads a multidisciplinary team of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP), delivering end-to-end plant design and engineering services across Urenco’s global operations. It also provides specialist engineering support to the COO organisation, including troubleshooting and debottlenecking activities to ensure assets operate in line with design intent.

EDA plays a central role in driving innovation in plant design, developing new concepts, processes, and systems, and leveraging best available technologies to maintain Urenco’s competitive advantage. The function also defines and implements the Centre of Excellence for Design and Engineering.

Strategic Context: EDA is a key contributor to Urenco’s recurring ‘W’ strategic planning process, ensuring continuous refresh and alignment to address long-term challenges. Aligned to Urenco’s evolving strategy, five strategic building blocks guide the organisation:

• Maintain a strong customer base
• Defend and innovate the core business
• Shape and utilise regulatory frameworks
• Promote organic growth
• Create a winning team

These underpin:

• Long-term ambition (5–15 years)
• Mid-term direction (3–5 years)
• Short-term priorities (12–24 months)

What you’ll do:

• Support the Head of Design Engineering in managing a department of 75+ FTEs, delivering Urenco’s capital portfolio from a design and engineering perspective
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, including internal teams and external contractors, to deliver global design and engineering services
• Contribute as a member of the EDA leadership team, shaping and executing long-term strategies and operational plans
• Develop, implement, and maintain processes, procedures, and instructions to support plant design and engineering delivery (including QA systems)
• Lead the development and delivery of Front End Engineering Design (FEED), including conceptual and basic design for capital programmes
• Ensure all design projects are effectively planned, resourced, and compliant with regulatory and legal requirements
• Build and maintain strong relationships across UTD and Site Operations to enable knowledge transfer and successful project delivery
• Provide expert engineering support and advice for major and complex projects
• Drive value across the full asset lifecycle, ensuring safe, consistent, and optimised plant design solutions
• Maintain and develop critical engineering and technology capabilities to support competitive advantage

What do you need to thrive in this role?

• Extensive knowledge of engineering design, ideally within the nuclear or similarly regulated industry
• Strong understanding of high hazard environments, safety frameworks, and regulatory requirements
• Awareness of market trends and developments impacting engineering and the wider business
• Experience in knowledge management, analysis, and prioritisation
• Proven ability to influence and manage stakeholders in advisory or support functions
• Demonstrated success leading engineering teams across international, complex environments
• Strong capability in managing customer expectations, prioritisation, and delivery to deadlines
• Experience developing and delivering short- and long-term departmental strategies
• Financial acumen, including managing and forecasting OPEX and CAPEX budgets
• Proven experience leading high-profile initiatives in challenging and changing environments

Key Skills & Behaviours:

• Communication and collaboration
• Leadership and people management
• Adaptability and problem-solving
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Financial and operational management

What We Offer You:

More than just a job, we offer a future. More than just a place to work, we provide an opportunity to prosper. As an employee of Urenco you will receive:

• Generous Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days, increasing by one day every two years (up to 30 days), plus 13 additional flexible days. Option to buy or sell up to 5 holiday days.
• Family-Friendly Policies: A wide range of policies to support work-life balance and family needs.
• Bonus Scheme: A competitive bonus scheme based on company and individual performance.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution plan with up to 16% employer contribution.
• Private Medical & Dental Cover: Single coverage with the option to purchase additional benefits.
• Flexible Benefits: Life assurance, income protection, and other options tailored to your lifestyle, with tax and National Insurance savings.
• Training & Development: A focus on continuous learning, with personalised training packages to support your career growth, including mandatory health and safety courses.

Security vetting: Due to the nature of the industry that Urenco operates in, all personnel regardless of employment status working for Urenco are required to obtain security clearance at the level required for their role. Security clearances are assessed in accordance with regulations and official guidance issued by the relevant competent authorities for national security vetting. In certain circumstances, additional enhanced security clearance considerations apply to roles within Urenco owing to the particular activities that the Urenco Group undertakes in relation to uranium enrichment. Successful candidates will need to satisfy security requirements, and all offers of appointment are made subject to the successful approval of all checks initiated.

Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce: As a truly global company with a presence in the UK, USA, Germany, and the Netherlands, we know that our individual differences make us stronger. Putting people at the heart of our business, we strive to create an open and inclusive workplace that allows every voice to be heard and diversity to thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please let our talent acquisition team know.

Because together, we are one Urenco. We are enriching the world. And enriching your future.