Lead Engineer – Materials Analysis

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United Kingdom is seeking a lead for Materials Analysis to drive the development and deployment of analytical tools and methodologies. You will assess material performance and provide robust engineering justification across cross‑functional teams, including design and integrity groups.

You will mentor engineers, ensure governance alignment with codes, and operate in a regulated environment with travel between Derby, Warrington and Manchester.

Qualifications

• A degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional registration or a desire to work towards it.
• Strong experience applying materials science principles to engineering challenges.
• Experience in material selection, performance assessment, property derivation and lifecycle considerations.
• Experience developing or applying analytical tools, software and data models.
• Knowledge of Python, MATLAB, FORTRAN or similar programming environments.
• Understanding of material degradation mechanisms and environmental effects on material performance.
• Experience ideally gained within the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry.
• Knowledge of relevant engineering codes, standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgement to complex technical problems.
• Strong communication skills.
• Commitment to technical excellence and supporting the development of others.
• Ability to obtain BPSS clearance.
• Satisfactory completion of a DBS check.
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, validation and deployment of materials analysis tools, methodologies and software.
• Assess material behaviour, performance and degradation mechanisms.
• Provide robust technical evidence supporting structural and functional requirements.
• Collaborate with design, structural analysis, structural integrity and wider engineering teams.
• Provide technical leadership and direction across materials analysis activities.
• Ensure work aligns with programme priorities, governance requirements, applicable codes and standards.
• Represent Materials Analysis in multidisciplinary project teams, technical reviews and stakeholder discussions.
• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly and effectively.
• Coach, mentor and develop engineers within the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives enhancing capability, efficiency and engineering quality.
• Collaborate regularly across Derby, Warrington and Manchester, with occasional travel between sites.

Skills

Strong communication

Coaching & mentoring

Collaboration

Technical leadership

Engineering judgement

Education

Materials Engineering degree

Mechanical Engineering degree

Related engineering discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

FORTRAN

Job description

• Lead the development, validation and deployment of materials analysis tools, methodologies and software
• Assess material behaviour, performance and degradation mechanisms
• Provide robust technical evidence supporting structural and functional requirements
• Collaborate with design, structural analysis, structural integrity and wider engineering teams
• Provide technical leadership and direction across materials analysis activities
• Ensure work aligns with programme priorities, governance requirements, applicable codes and standards
• Represent Materials Analysis in multidisciplinary project teams, technical reviews and stakeholder discussions
• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly and effectively
• Coach, mentor and develop engineers within the team
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives enhancing capability, efficiency and engineering quality
• Collaborate regularly across Derby, Warrington and Manchester, with occasional travel between sites

Requirements

• A degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Professional registration or a desire to work towards it
• Strong experience applying materials science principles to engineering challenges
• Experience in material selection, performance assessment, property derivation and lifecycle considerations
• Experience developing or applying analytical tools, software and data models
• Knowledge of Python, MATLAB, FORTRAN or similar programming environments
• Understanding of material degradation mechanisms and environmental effects on material performance
• Experience ideally gained within the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry
• Knowledge of relevant engineering codes, standards and regulatory frameworks
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgement to complex technical problems
• Strong communication skills
• Commitment to technical excellence and supporting the development of others
• Ability to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in materials analysis, including the development and application of analytical tools and methodologies. Strong ability to communicate complex engineering concepts and provide technical leadership while ensuring compliance with engineering standards and regulatory frameworks.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Materials Engineering Degree
• Materials Science Principles Application
• Analytical Tools Development
• Python Programming
• Nuclear Sector Experience

Hard Skills

• Materials Analysis
• Material Selection
• Performance Assessment
• Property Derivation
• Lifecycle Considerations
• Technical Evidence Provision
• Engineering Judgement
• Environmental Effects Understanding
• Regulatory Framework Knowledge
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives

Soft Skills

• Strong Communication Skills
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Collaboration
• Technical Leadership

Certifications & Qualifications

• Professional Registration
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
• Basic Financial Probity Check

Industry Keywords

• Nuclear Sector
• Engineering Codes
• Standards Compliance
• Regulated Industry

Tools & Technologies

• MATLAB
• FORTRAN
• Data Models