Senior Reactor System Design Engineer

Job description

Location: Hybrid – Derby, Warrington or Manchester Our Mission At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are revolutionising clean energy through the delivery of scalable, affordable nuclear power. Our mission is to provide reliable low-carbon energy that supports global net zero ambitions while driving innovation and engineering excellence at every stage of the programme. The Team You will join the Reactor Plant and Systems team, a multidisciplinary engineering function responsible for the design and development of the systems that underpin the Reactor Island. The team brings together expertise across mechanical, fluid and safety-critical systems, working collaboratively to develop robust, licensable, and high-performing designs. Operating within a highly regulated environment, the team plays a critical role in progressing the programme through detailed design and regulatory approval. You will work closely with internal specialists, external partners and regulators, contributing to a collaborative culture focused on delivery, safety and continuous improvement. As a Senior Engineer, you will also provide technical leadership and support to a small team, helping to shape both design outcomes and team capability. The Role As a Senior Reactor System Design Engineer, you will lead the development of complex process and mechanical system designs across the Reactor Island. You will play a key role in translating high-level requirements into robust, evidence-based design solutions that meet stringent regulatory and safety expectations. This role offers exposure to the full lifecycle of system design, from early concept development through to detailed design, substantiation and licensing support. You will contribute directly to the maturity and integration of the overall plant design, ensuring alignment with programme milestones and industry best practice while supporting the safe and efficient delivery of the Rolls-Royce SMR solution. What We’ll Need You to Do Lead the delivery of system design packages so that outputs are technically robust, aligned to programme requirements and delivered to agreed timescales. Develop and manage system requirements to ensure designs are clearly defined, traceable and supported by appropriate verification and evidence. Produce high-quality engineering documentation, including design reports, system definitions and substantiation artefacts that support safety cases and regulatory submissions. Collaborate closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, including regulators, to resolve technical challenges and maintain programme momentum. Identify and actively manage risks and opportunities within the design scope, ensuring effective mitigation and continuous improvement. Apply design governance, configuration control and assurance processes to maintain consistency, quality and compliance. Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers, supporting capability growth and driving a high-performance team environment. What You’ll Bring: Proven experience delivering complex system design work within nuclear or another highly regulated or safety-critical industry. A degree in an engineering or relevant technical discipline, or equivalent experience gained through industry delivery. Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, integration and structured design approaches. Practical experience in mechanical or process system design, such as fluid systems, HVAC, chemical or plant-based systems. Confidence in producing and reviewing detailed technical documentation such as P&IDs, calculations and design substantiation reports. Strong communication skills with the ability to engage and build credibility across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to lead technical work, solve problems and support the development of others. Location This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with flexibility to be based in Derby, Warrington or Manchester. Regular on-site collaboration is expected, balanced with flexibility where possible. What’s in It for You We anticipate paying a salary of between £50,6500 - £66,500.00 DOE plus:- Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 12.5% Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, 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 be joining a rapidly growing organisation at a critical stage of its development, offering excellent opportunities for learning, professional development, and long-term career progression within a purpose-driven and innovative environment. Inclusion & Diversity We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is central to our culture, and we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable workplace adjustments where required to support individuals in performing at their best. Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying, but there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we would love to hear from you. We also welcome applications from individuals considering a sector move, particularly those with transferable experience from other regulated or safety-critical industries. Location This role offers flexible, hybrid working, with collaboration across our key sites in Warrington, Derby and Manchester. We also support flexible and part-time working arrangements to enable a strong work-life balance Pay Range: £50,600.00 - £66,465.00 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 #LI-SZ1 #hybridworking #engineeringjobs #weareSMR