The Company
At Rolls‑Royce SMR, our mission is simple and ambitious: to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor programme provides a pioneering British solution to the global energy crisis, combining proven nuclear technology with innovative modular construction.
We are uniquely positioned to become a world leader in SMRs and the UK's premier green export technology, supporting energy security, decarbonisation, and long‑term sustainable growth.
The Team
You'll join our Core Systems group within Engineering, an expert team responsible for the safe, robust and optimised design of the reactor core. This team ensures that every safety measure, operating philosophy and design decision is aligned with industry best practice, regulatory expectations and our commitment to deliver a world‑class SMR.
The team's work underpins the overall performance, safety, and reliability of the reactor. Your contribution will directly shape key safety outcomes and influence design decisions across the entire reactor system.
Role Summary
Job Title: Systems Design Engineer – Core Safety Measures
This is a rare opportunity to take a central role in engineering the future of clean energy. As a Systems Design Engineer focusing on core safety measures, you will develop preventative and protective safety solutions for the reactor core—work that is essential to ensuring the safe operation of the SMR throughout its lifecycle.
In this role, you will collaborate with experts across engineering disciplines, external stakeholders, and regulatory partners. Your insight and technical leadership will help define the design foundations of a first‑of‑a‑kind nuclear technology.
What You'll Be Doing
You will be doing things like:
* Developing robust, high‑quality design solutions in line with industry good practice, lessons learned and operational experience.
* Generating and reviewing key design documentation such as requirement specifications, design descriptions and substantiation reports.
* Applying a systems engineering approach to system design, including requirements development, functional modelling, and interface management.
* Managing and communicating design‑related risks, ensuring these are visible and well‑understood by senior decision‑makers and stakeholders.
* Leading and contributing to technical reviews throughout the project lifecycle.
* Planning and executing tasks to ensure high‑quality, on‑time delivery of system design activities.
* Collaborating closely with colleagues across performance analysis, systems integration, layout, C&I and safety to ensure coherent technical outcomes.
* Developing and implementing verification & validation requirements across stages of design maturity.
* Working with due regard to Health, Safety and Environment, and championing our values, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The Impact You Will Have
Your work will directly influence the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the SMR reactor core, one of the most critical aspects of the entire programme. This role offers the opportunity to:
* Help shape a first‑of‑a‑kind nuclear design that will support global decarbonisation.
* Drive safety and quality outcomes that have long‑lasting technical and societal impact.
* Contribute to engineering decisions that define the future of the UK nuclear industry.
* Build deep cross‑discipline influence within a fast‑growing, mission‑driven organisation.
Few engineering roles offer the opportunity to contribute to something with this level of national and global importance.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
We are looking for:
Experience delivering design programmes within engineering.
Knowledge of nuclear reactor systems, operations or nuclear plant design, or transferable experience in complex safety‑critical system design.
An understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements development and functional modelling.
Ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences and collaborate across multiple stakeholders.
A degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline (or equivalent experience).
Chartered engineer status, or working towards chartership, through an appropriate institution (e.g. IMechE, IET, IChemE).
Pay and Benefits
We anticipate paying a salary of between £42,000- £55,150 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
*
Location & Ways of Working
We offer hybrid and flexible working from our offices in Derby, Warrington or Manchester. The frequency of office presence will be discussed during the recruitment process to ensure it works for both you and the team.
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
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