Lead Engineer - Civil and Structural (Infrastructure)

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance related bonus (7%)

Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum

12% employer pension contributions

28 days holiday plus public holidays

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

One-off payment for home office purchases

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Lead Engineer – Civil and Structural (Infrastructure) to join their team. The role involves leading design development and managing engineering work for critical nuclear infrastructure projects.

Located in the East Midlands, applicants should have a Chartered Civil Engineer qualification and significant experience in complex infrastructure projects. The position offers hybrid working options, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading civil engineering delivery across large infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of codes and standards for infrastructure design.
• Experience with regulatory engagement and planning requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design development of civil infrastructure including roads and drainage.
• Manage engineering work packages to ensure quality and safety.
• Coordinate between disciplines for seamless integration.

Skills

Chartered Civil Engineer

Infrastructure design

Project management

Technical governance

Safety-led design principles

Education

Chartered Engineer qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Salary

£60,000.00

Benefits

• Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 7%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (plus 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

Role

Lead Engineer – Civil and Structural (Infrastructure)

Location

Hybrid Working with primary location in Derby, Warrington or Manchester.

Company Mission

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge. We are in pole position to become a world leader in SMRs and a leading UK green export technology, helping to shape a more sustainable future.

The Team

The Civil & Structural Engineering team sits at the core of our engineering capability, delivering complex infrastructure solutions across a highly regulated and technically demanding environment. Focused on innovation and integration, the team brings together deep technical expertise to design, develop and deliver critical infrastructure for first‑of‑a‑kind nuclear programmes.

Opportunity

In this context, we are looking for a Lead Engineer – Civil and Structural (Infrastructure) to support our Manager – Civil & Structural within the GBE‑N programme. This role provides technical leadership across site‑wide civil infrastructure, playing a key role in shaping and delivering integrated design solutions across a nationally significant project.

Responsibilities

• Leading the design development, assurance and justification of site‑wide civil infrastructure, including roads, drainage, utilities and ancillary structures.
• Managing engineering work packages, ensuring delivery aligns with programme expectations, quality standards and safety requirements.
• Coordinating across disciplines, proactively managing interfaces to ensure seamless integration into the overall site layout.
• Resolving complex technical challenges, applying sound engineering judgement to deliver robust, compliant solutions.
• Supporting and developing engineers, contributing to a high‑performing, inclusive and collaborative team environment.

What You’ll Bring

This is a high‑impact role requiring strong technical leadership, a collaborative approach and the ability to bring clarity and direction within complex, fast‑moving environments.

Qualifications

• Chartered Civil Engineer, or equivalent demonstrable experience within infrastructure design.
• Experience leading civil engineering delivery across large or complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of infrastructure design, including roads, drainage, utilities, earthworks and associated codes and standards.
• Experience navigating technical governance processes and confidently justifying engineering solutions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with regulatory engagement, planning requirements or working alongside statutory bodies and utility providers is advantageous.
• Understanding of safety‑led design principles, including integration of conventional health and safety considerations, with nuclear experience beneficial.

Location and Working Arrangements

We offer flexible working arrangements, with an expectation of regular office or site attendance to support collaboration, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery.

Selection Process

The selection process will include an initial conversation with the Talent Acquisition team, followed by staged interviews with the hiring team.

Due to the nature of our industry, successful candidates will be required to complete appropriate pre‑employment screening, including security and background checks.

Application Requirements (Security)

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
• Completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Completing a basic financial probity check.

Our Commitment

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. We are happy to discuss flexible working and will make workplace adjustments where needed to support you in performing at your best.