Expert – Core Performance

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 93,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 17%

Benefits allowance £5k

Pension contributions

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a senior technical authority to lead reactor core performance analysis for a first-of-a-kind SMR programme. You will drive advanced modelling, ensure safety and operability requirements are met, and influence key decisions with regulators and stakeholders.

You will engage with cross-functional teams across safety, control and instrumentation, and design, while shaping analytical approaches and engineering standards for the project.

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering.
• Strong background in reactor physics, core design or core performance.
• Experience with regulated nuclear environments and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead core performance analysis across reactor physics, kinetics and hydraulics.
• Provide governance and expert judgement on complex engineering challenges.
• Develop analytical methods and models to improve capability.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate core performance in plant design.
• Support regulatory activities, including GDA, with technical input.
• Mentor engineers and foster collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Nuclear core physics

Thermal hydraulics

Kinetics

Core modelling

Regulatory engagement

Leadership

Education

Physics/Nuclear/Mechanical Eng degree

Tools

Analytical tools

Job description

Pay Range £71,000.00 – £93,200.00

Location: Hybrid (UK – Warrington, Derby or Manchester)

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are pioneering the deployment of affordable, low-carbon nuclear power to support global energy security and net-zero ambitions. Our Small Modular Reactor programme is designed to deliver scalable, cost-effective clean energy solutions, helping governments and industries transition to a more sustainable future.

The Team

You will join the Reactor Core function within Engineering, working in the Core Performance discipline. This is a highly specialised area focused on reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and plant response analysis. As a senior technical expert, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across safety, control & instrumentation and design, while also engaging with external stakeholders including regulators. With major programme milestones ahead, including ongoing Generic Design Assessment activities and the Design Acceptance Review, your work will directly contribute to design maturity and programme success.

The Role

This is a senior technical authority position where you will lead and influence the development of reactor core performance capability across a first-of-a-kind SMR programme. You will drive advanced analysis and modelling activities, ensuring the reactor design meets stringent safety, operability and performance requirements. The role offers high visibility across the business, with opportunities to shape key decisions, support regulatory engagement and guide the evolution of analytical approaches and engineering standards.

What We’ll Need You To Do

• Lead and deliver core performance analysis across reactor physics, kinetics and thermal hydraulics, ensuring outputs are robust, high quality and aligned to programme milestones.
• Act as a recognised technical authority, providing governance, assurance and expert judgement to solve complex engineering challenges within a regulated nuclear environment.
• Drive the development and enhancement of analytical methods, tools and computational models to continuously improve capability and maintain technical excellence.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure effective integration of core performance within the wider plant design.
• Support regulatory activities, including GDA, by providing clear, credible technical input and responding to regulator queries.
• Mentor and guide engineers across the function, building capability and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

• Significant experience in nuclear core physics, core design or core performance, with a strong track record in delivering complex engineering work within a regulated environment.
• Deep technical expertise across reactor performance disciplines, including thermal hydraulics, kinetics and core modelling, with an understanding of safety and operational constraints.
• Degree qualified in a relevant discipline (Physics, Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering), ideally with Chartered status or equivalent professional recognition.
• Experience in developing or applying advanced analytical methods and tools, alongside an understanding of regulatory expectations within the nuclear sector.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex technical information to a range of stakeholders including senior leaders and regulators.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking approach, with the credibility to lead technically while enabling high-performing teams.

Location

This role offers flexible and hybrid working, with time spent across our key UK locations including Warrington, Derby or Manchester. We support flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional commitments.

What’s In It For You

We anticipate a salary of £71,000.00 – £93,200.00 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring.

We Also Offer Excellent Benefits Including

• Bonus – Performance related bonus of up to 17%
• Benefits Allowance – £5,000, 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

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