Lead Engineer Core Design and Performance

Rolls Royce SMR Ltd.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading clean energy technology firm based in Manchester is seeking an experienced Lead Engineer for its Core Design department. You will lead the development of core modeling methods and provide technical expertise across disciplines. A Master's in Nuclear Engineering or a related discipline is essential, alongside strong skills in PWR design, safety assessments, and Python programming. The role offers a salary of £57,600-£74,500 with excellent benefits including a performance bonus and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Performance-related bonus up to 12.5%

Benefits allowance of £2200

12% employer pension contributions

28 days holidays plus public holidays

Private medical insurance

Life assurance of 6x pensionable pay

Qualifications

• Experience in reactor physics and thermal hydraulics analysis.
• Ability to lead complex technical workstreams.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of core modelling and analysis methodologies.
• Provide technical leadership to resolve complex core design challenges.
• Act as the primary technical interface with clients and regulators.

Skills

Strong understanding of PWR design

Nuclear safety experience

Python skills

Risk management skills

Technical leadership

Education

Masters in Nuclear Engineering or Physics

Tools

CMS

VIPRE

CTF

Job description

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 Team**Our 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.**The role**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 well as 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 strong academic background with 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 purchasesYou’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).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#EngineeringJobs #NuclearEnergy #RollsRoyceSMR #CleanEnergy #WeareSMR #LeadershipOpportunity #LI-MR1**We are Rolls-Royce SMR**A career with Rolls-Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Rolls-Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low-carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years. With its Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future. We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls-Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.**Our culture**At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge. Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a