Band 3 Nuclear Safety Inspector - Supply Chain

Office for Nuclear Regulation; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency for nuclear regulation is seeking a Supply Chain Inspector to lead safety inspections and contribute to procurement strategies. The role involves assessing supply chain management across nuclear facilities and mentoring junior inspectors. Ideal candidates will have a degree in engineering or related sector, effective communication skills, and experience in high-hazard industries. This position offers a hybrid working model and competitive salary.

Benefits

Salary: £80,670

Company pension: ONR contributes £23,370

Learning and development tailored to the role

Flexible working options

Inclusive culture and diversity

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in engineering or physical sciences.
• Experience in effective supply chain management in the nuclear sector.
• Knowledge of procurement processes and oversight in high-hazard environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and assessments across nuclear facilities.
• Manage oversight of procurement and supply chain strategies.
• Contribute to investigations and support junior inspectors.

Skills

Supply chain management

Communication skills

Decision-making skills

Analytical skills

Safety assessment

Education

Degree in engineering or related field

Chartered membership of relevant professional institution

Job description

Overview

ONR is not a Civil Service department; we are an arms-length body of the Department for Work and Pensions. As the UK's independent nuclear regulator, our mission is vital to the nation's safety and security. We protect society by securing safe operations at nuclear facilities across the country. This role is critical to the decarbonisation of the UK’s economy, national defence, and the decommissioning of our nuclear legacy. A career with ONR offers opportunities to lead and shape society's future use of nuclear technology.

As an inspector, your job will be varied and you are likely to undertake a range of roles across the sector. This can include regulating the construction of new nuclear build, the decommissioning of legacy facilities, planned and reactive inspections on site, assessing safety submissions, managing discrete intervention projects, conducting investigations, managing research projects, and mentoring the next generation of inspectors. As a supply chain inspector, you will focus on the duty holder's supply chain management arrangements to ensure the delivery of nuclear plant, equipment, and services “right first time.” This includes ensuring safety is adequately considered when developing supply chain strategies and policies. A fundamental element is the duty holder's procurement processes, ensuring appropriate levels of oversight and assurance across the supply chain related to nuclear plant, equipment, and services.

Responsibilities

• Undertake duties across the nuclear sector, including inspection, assessment, and project management as a supply chain inspector.
• Assess safety submissions and support investigations, research projects, and inspector development where appropriate.
• Contribute to oversight of procurement, supply chain strategies, and risk-based decisions to ensure safe, reliable delivery of plant, equipment, and services.
• Where applicable, mentor and develop junior inspectors in line with ONR objectives.

Line Management

There is currently no line management requirement; however, at this level there could be an expectation to manage staff in the future.

Work With Us

Our colleagues come from diverse backgrounds with varied career journeys into ONR. We value contributions from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Our values—supportive, open-minded, fair and accountable—are central to ONR. We invest in our people to build capability, resilience and wellbeing, underpinned by inclusion and excellence.

Application Guidance

A suitability statement (maximum 800 words) highlighting how you meet the essential skills and experience required for the role will be used at shortlisting in conjunction with your CV. If applicable, highlight any experience under the desirable skills and experience within the application form. Throughout selection, decisions will be based on evidence provided. If shortlisted, you will be invited to a technical/competency-based interview.

AI Tools & Platforms

During the application process, applicants may use AI platforms to support CVs, suitability statements, and essential skills and experience. Ensure all information is truthful and verifiable, including attribution of AI-generated content. All information will be assessed at the interview stage. Upload text-based CVs with no graphics or pictures to ensure anonymisation works correctly.

Important Notes

When completing the application, if you use special characters, some systems may convert these into symbols; this will not prevent review at shortlisting. Interviews are likely w/c 10th November or w/c 17th November where possible. We anticipate the successful candidate joining ONR prior to 1st April 2026.

Security & Vetting

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements. The level of security needed is a security check. See our vetting charter and baseline personnel security standard checks for government assets.

Qualifications & Essential Skills / Experience

• Degree level qualification or equivalent in engineering, physical sciences or a related subject. Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or demonstrated performance/experience at an equivalent level.
• Knowledge and experience of effective supply chain management in delivering “right first time” plant, equipment, and services in the nuclear sector, including current risks, opportunities, challenges, and mitigation methods.
• Experience in specifying requirements, procurement processes, oversight and assurance, and applying relevant codes, legal and regulatory frameworks and standards representing good practice.
• Developing, implementing and maintaining quality management arrangements related to the acquisition of high-risk plant and equipment.
• Knowledge of one or more nuclear/high hazard facilities (e.g., pressurised water reactors, advanced gas cooled reactors, high hazard processing plants).
• Ability to assimilate, analyse and provide judgments on new and complex technical issues clearly and concisely.
• Strong communication, decision-making and influencing skills with the ability to see the bigger picture, prioritise work based on risk.
• Experience in the nuclear sector or alternative high hazard industry is ideal; we welcome applicants from non-nuclear backgrounds who would undertake a structured nuclear training programme to reach Nuclear Safety Inspector level (subject to salary considerations during training).

Location, Travel & Benefits

This post may be undertaken from a base at any ONR office location (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London). Some travel, including overnight stays, across the UK and occasionally abroad, is required. A full UK driving licence is preferred, unless reasonable adjustments can be made. ONR operates hybrid working (office and home) with regular time in the office to support collaboration and wellbeing. Salary and benefits include:

• Salary: £80,670
• Company pension: ONR contributes £23,370 towards Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
• Learning and development tailored to the role
• Flexible working options
• Inclusive culture and diversity
• Civil Service pension

Applicant Support and Veterans

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is accessible. Contact [e-mail] for discussion. We offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria and participate in the Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. Eligibility: served at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces, transition or cessation from service, and not already employed by ONR.