Lead Engineer - Civil and Structural (Cooling Water Island)

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus of 7%

£2,200 Benefits Allowance

12% employer pension contribution

28 days holiday plus public holidays

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

£250 for home office setup

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Lead Engineer – Civil and Structural for the Cooling Water Island. This hybrid role requires attendance in Derby, Warrington, or Manchester and focuses on leading the technical development of engineering solutions.

The successful candidate will manage complex projects, support and mentor junior engineers, and ensure that engineering outputs meet safety and quality expectations. Competitive salary of £60,000 to £75,000, along with performance-related bonuses and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer or equivalent experience required.
• Experience with large-scale or complex infrastructure programmes.
• Knowledge of loading conditions and relevant codes and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of civil and structural solutions for Cooling Water Island.
• Ensure engineering work packages align with programme, quality, and safety.
• Mentor engineers to contribute to team growth and capability.

Skills

Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer

Strong technical knowledge of structural analysis

Experience leading engineering delivery

Understanding of safety-led design

Job description

Pay Range

£60,000 - £75,000.

Role

Lead Engineer – Civil and Structural (Cooling Water Island) within the GBE‑N programme.

Location

Hybrid working with primary location in Derby, Warrington or Manchester; regular site or office attendance required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development, assurance and justification of civil and structural solutions across the Cooling Water Island scope, including marine, coastal and infrastructure elements.
• Manage delivery of defined engineering work packages, ensuring outputs align with programme, quality and safety expectations.
• Coordinate with multi‑disciplinary teams, proactively managing interfaces to ensure cohesive, integrated design delivery.
• Resolve complex technical challenges, guiding teams to develop robust, innovative and compliant solutions.
• Support and mentor engineers, contributing to capability growth and a strong, values‑led team environment.

Qualifications

• Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer, or equivalent demonstrable experience within a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience leading civil and structural engineering delivery on large‑scale or complex infrastructure programmes.
• Strong technical knowledge of structural analysis, loading conditions, applicable codes and standards, with experience across infrastructure types such as coastal, marine, tunnelling or water‑retaining structures.
• Experience working within structured technical governance, with ability to develop, justify and defend engineering solutions.
• Understanding of safety‑led design, including integration of conventional health and safety principles; nuclear safety case experience is beneficial.

Benefits

• Salary: £60,000 – £75,000.
• Performance‑related bonus target opportunity 7%.
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum.
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) with option to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care.
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay.
• One‑off payment – £250 for home office purchases.

Selection Process

The selection process will include an initial conversation with the Talent Acquisition team, followed by staged interviews with the hiring team. Successful candidates will be required to complete appropriate pre‑employment screening, including security and background checks.

Our Commitment

We are an equal opportunities employer, welcome applications from all backgrounds, and as a Disability Confident organisation we are committed to fair, supportive and continually improving recruitment practices.