Automated NDE Engineer - Submarines

Rolls-Royce; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Rolls-Royce in Derby seeks an Automated NDE Engineer to deploy and validate ultrasonic inspection methods for submarine components, driving safety, quality and delivery performance.

You will lead inspection campaigns, develop capabilities, maintain equipment and train staff, with SC clearance and UK nationality assumptions. This role requires collaboration across teams in a challenging nuclear environment.

Qualifications

• PCN Level 2 Ultrasonic Testing of Welds, BS EN 9712.
• Experience deploying automated ultrasonic inspections.
• NDE experience in a similar industry.
• Ability to plan and lead technical projects with an engineering team.
• Strong teamwork and delivery focus.

Responsibilities

• Develop capability by deploying, validating and improving NDE methods.
• Ensure safety, quality and design intent in inspection processes.
• Drive zero defects culture and Right First Time outcomes.
• Perform inspections to approved procedures and generate reports.
• Assist in maintenance of Automated Inspection equipment.
• Support training of staff for automated inspections.
• Ensure compliance to design intent and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with interfacing teams and share best practices.

Skills

PCN Level 2 Ultrasonic Testing

Advanced UT techniques

NDE experience

Project leadership

Team coaching

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Automated NDE Engineer

Working Pattern: Full Time

Working Location: Derby

Why Rolls-Royce?

An exciting opportunity for a NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) Engineer role has arisen within the New Build and Components Business, in Nuclear (Submarines).

PCO manufactures components that form part of the Submarine Propulsion Plant, which are subjected to a variety of NDE techniques. In this role you will focus on deploying advanced techniques to verify the integrity of our components.

You will need to be an enthusiastic team-oriented individual with a passion to succeed and a vision of how modern manufacturing should be achieved within a constantly changing environment. An aptitude to learn rapidly will be a necessity and an ability to communicate effectively at all levels on complex technical projects needs to be demonstrated.

Our nuclear business is a leader in propulsion system design and development for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet and the sole provider and technical authority, managing all aspects of plant design, safety, manufacture, performance, and through-life support.

What you will be doing:

With this exciting opportunity you will get a chance to be involved with the following:

• Develop Capability - Develop, implement, validate, maintain, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, digital systems and/or methods of manufacture which can meet the requirements for safety, quality, cost, delivery rate, and lead time. Capture, analyse and use data to demonstrate and improve the current and future capability of manufacturing processes.
• Product Safety - Ensure that manufacturing processes can achieve and sustain the design intent, and that processes are followed so that our products and those of our suppliers conform to their specification. Rigorously raise, investigate, and resolve safety related issues.
• Quality - Drive a culture of zero defects within the organisation. Works with all functions to reduce risk and drive product Right First Time. Ensure compliance to all relevant company, legislative and technical policies and standards including RRMS, SABRe and Export Control and Intellectual Property requirements.
• Undertake every aspect in the deployment of Automated NDE methods. This will include performing the inspections to an approved procedure, analysing result, and generating inspection reports.
• Assist in the management and maintenance of Automated Inspection equipment.
• Support training and coaching of staff to ensure inspection standards are met for Automated Inspections.
• Ensuring customer and business requirements for Safety, Quality, Cost and Delivery are met, as well as compliance to design intent.
• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing - Work with interfacing teams and local experts to ensure technical aspects of manufacturing processes and digital systems are understood and accounted for as required. Capture and utilise lessons learnt. Identify, document, and share best practice, including by participation in relevant Communities of Practice.

Who we’re looking for:

At Rolls-Royce we embrace agility, are bold, pursue collaboration and seek simplicity in everything we do. These principles form our values and behaviours and are an essential component of our assessment process and are fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

To be successful in this role you will need to meet the following criteria:

• General understanding of manufacturing processes relevant to the business.
• General awareness of Manufacturing Systems and enabling software tools relevant to the business.
• Understanding of Manufacturing Engineering processes relevant to their role.
• Have a meticulous and methodical approach to work activities.

Skills and Qualifications:

Essential:

• PCN Level 2 Ultrasonic Testing of Welds, BS EN 9712.
• Experience in advanced UT techniques (PA or TOFD) or experience in deployment of automated ultrasonic inspections.
• Work experience in an NDE role in similar industry.
• Ability to plan, lead your own technical projects and work alongside an experienced engineering team.
• Good team working skills with a focus on coaching and delivery.

Desirable:

• PCN Level 3 Ultrasonic Testing of Welds or Further qualifications in Ultrasonic testing.
• PCN Level 2 in Liquid Penetrant.
• PCN Level 2 in Magnetic Particle.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives. And the more perspectives we have, the more successful we’ll be. By building a culture of respect and appreciation, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.

You can learn more about our global Inclusion strategy at Our people | Rolls-Royce

To work for Rolls-Royce Submarines, you need to hold a Security Check (SC) clearance without any caveats to that clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you don’t currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets, you must hold a UK nationality. Any dual nationals will require additional scrutiny and background checks prior to commencing work with RRSL.

Grade: 7-10

Job Category

Manufacturing Engineering

Posting Date

07 Oct 2026; 00:10

Posting End Date

23 Oct 2026