Human Factors Engineer - Nuclear Systems & Safety Engineering

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 12.5%

Benefits allowance £2,200 per annum

Pension 12% employer + 6% employee

29 days holiday + public holidays

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited is seeking a Human Factors Engineer to apply human-centred design across the programme, influencing layouts, control room concepts and safety assessments to ensure operator needs are embedded throughout the lifecycle.

Join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and safety specialists, producing reports and supporting design reviews. Hybrid working is available in Derby, Warrington, or Manchester.

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Factors, Ergonomics or related discipline.
• Knowledge of Human Factors methods and their application in complex environments.
• Experience or interest in task analysis, layout assessment, operator performance, usability, Human Reliability Assessment or HMI development.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proactive and curious mindset with willingness to learn and contribute to an innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Apply Human Factors methods to support design development, operational performance and safety case activities.
• Review layouts, workspaces, systems and equipment to ensure operator needs are integrated into the design.
• Support development of control room concepts, digital HMIs and other operator-focused solutions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during design reviews, requirement development and verification activities.
• Produce high-quality technical reports, assessments and recommendations.

Skills

Human Factors methods

Task analysis

Layout assessment

Operator performance

Usability

Human Reliability Assessment

HMI development

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Human Factors / Ergonomics / Psychology or related discipline

Job description

Our Mission

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we're transforming the future of clean energy by developing next‑generation nuclear power stations that will deliver reliable, low‑carbon electricity for generations to come.

This is an opportunity to contribute to one of the UK's most ambitious engineering programmes and play a role in delivering a sustainable energy future.

The Team

You'll join our Human Factors team within Nuclear Systems & Safety Engineering, working alongside experienced specialists who help ensure safety, operability and human performance are embedded throughout the design of our power stations and manufacturing facilities.

The team works closely with multidisciplinary engineering functions, influencing major design decisions and supporting the delivery of a safe, efficient and innovative product.

The Role

As a Human Factors Engineer, you'll help integrate human‑centred design principles across the Rolls‑Royce SMR programme.

From supporting layout development and control room concepts to contributing to safety assessments and design reviews, you'll ensure the needs of operators and maintainers are considered throughout the design lifecycle.

This role offers exposure to complex engineering challenges, collaboration with industry‑leading experts and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on a first‑of‑a‑kind programme.

What We'll Need You to Do

Apply Human Factors methods and analyses to support design development, operational performance and safety case activities.

Review and influence layouts, workspaces, systems and equipment to ensure operator needs are effectively integrated into the design.

Support the development of control room concepts, digital Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and other operator‑focused solutions.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, providing Human Factors expertise during design reviews, requirement development and verification activities.

Produce high-quality technical reports, assessments and recommendations, helping to resolve complex challenges and drive effective design decisions.

What You'll Bring

• A degree in Human Factors, Ergonomics, Psychology or a related discipline, or equivalent experience applying Human Factors principles in industry.
• Knowledge of Human Factors methods and an understanding of how they can be applied to complex engineering, operational or safety‑critical environments.
• Experience of, or an interest in, areas such as task analysis, layout assessment, operator performance, usability, Human Reliability Assessment or Human Machine Interface development.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive and curious mindset with the willingness to learn, develop and contribute to an innovative and inclusive engineering environment.

Location

This role can be based in Derby, Warrington or Manchester with hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

What’s in It for You

• Pay range: £42,000 – £55,150 DOE.
• Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 12.5%.
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package.
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays – 29 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.

Pay Range

£42,000.00 - £55,125.00

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.

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.

Work is an activity, not a place

We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow.

We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them.

Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls‑Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR Join our talent community

We’re always on the lookout for the best talent.

If there isn’t a role which is suitable for you now, you can Introduce Yourself.

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.