Head of Core Performance – Nuclear Reactor Design

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 93,187; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 17% target

Benefits allowance £5,000 per annum

Pension 12% employer / 6% employee

28 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Life assurance 6× pensionable pay

Home office stipend £250

Job summary

Rolls‑Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Manager – Core Performance to lead reactor core performance strategy, oversee thermal hydraulics, fuel performance, and advanced simulation, ensuring safety-case readiness across design milestones. This senior role influences the engineering organisation and collaborates with regulators and suppliers.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team of ~30 engineers, shape technical direction, deliver programme milestones, and drive continuous improvement in a highly

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer (or equivalent).
• Significant experience in nuclear engineering, with reactor core design, thermal hydraulics, or fuel performance.
• Proven track record leading complex engineering programmes and delivering milestones.
• Experience managing large teams (10–30+ people).
• Strong understanding of nuclear regulatory frameworks and safety case development.
• Experience with advanced simulation and analysis tools.
• Experience managing suppliers, contracts and external delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver core performance activities across design, analysis, and simulation.
• Define and implement the technical strategy for core thermal and fuel performance.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams, providing leadership and capability development.
• Own delivery of programme milestones, ensuring outputs meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee and govern technical outputs, including safety case substantiation and design documentation.
• Manage key supplier and vendor relationships, including fuel development and analysis contracts.
• Establish and maintain robust engineering governance, configuration control, and best practice processes.
• Engage with regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders to support progression.
• Identify and resolve complex technical and programme challenges, driving continuous improvement.

Skills

Nuclear engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Supplier management

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer

Tools

Core physics/thermal hydraulics codes

Job description

Rolls‑Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Manager – Core Performance to lead reactor core performance strategy, oversee thermal hydraulics, fuel performance, and advanced simulation, ensuring safety-case readiness across design milestones. This senior role influences the engineering organisation and collaborates with regulators and suppliers.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team of ~30 engineers, shape technical direction, deliver programme milestones, and drive continuous improvement in a highly