Lead Engineer - Materials Analysis

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus 12.5%

Benefits allowance £2,200 p.a.

Pension 12% employer / 6% employee

28 days holidays + public holidays

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

£250 starter home office allowance

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Lead Engineer – Materials Analysis to provide technical leadership in developing materials analysis methods, assessing degradation, deriving data and informing design decisions.

You will mentor engineers, drive continuous improvement, and work across Derby, Warrington and Manchester with hybrid arrangements. A strong materials background and regulatory awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Professional registration or pursuit thereof.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, validation and deployment of materials analysis tools, methodologies and software.
• Assess material behaviour and degradation mechanisms with robust technical evidence.
• Collaborate with design, structural analysis and wider engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Provide technical leadership across materials analysis activities and ensure standards compliance.
• Represent Materials Analysis in multidisciplinary reviews and stakeholder discussions.
• Coach and develop engineers to enhance capability and engineering quality.

Skills

Materials science

Analytical tools

Python

MATLAB

FORTRAN

Engineering judgment

Communication

Education

Materials/Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

Python

MATLAB

FORTRAN

Job description

Location

Hybrid with flexibility to work from any Rolls‑Royce SMR location, including Derby, Warrington and Manchester

Our Mission

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are delivering a new era of clean energy through the development of world-class Small Modular Reactor technology. Our ambition is to provide affordable, low‑carbon electricity that supports energy security, drives economic growth and helps accelerate the transition to a net‑zero future. Joining us means contributing to one of the most significant engineering programmes in the UK and helping shape the future of nuclear energy.

The Team

You will join our Materials & Chemistry function, a specialist team responsible for providing the materials expertise that underpins the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Rolls‑Royce SMR design. Working alongside design, structural analysis, structural integrity and wider engineering teams, you will play a key role in solving complex technical challenges and supporting the continued maturity of the reactor design.

The Role

As Lead Engineer – Materials Analysis, you will provide technical leadership in the development and application of materials analysis methods, tools and software that support the evolution of the Rolls‑Royce SMR design. You will assess material performance, derive engineering data, evaluate degradation mechanisms and develop analytical approaches that inform critical design decisions while mentoring engineers and driving continuous improvement within the team.

What We'll Need You To Do

• Lead the development, validation and deployment of materials analysis tools, methodologies and software that support design development and engineering decision‑making.
• Assess material behaviour, performance and degradation mechanisms, providing robust technical evidence to support structural and functional requirements across the programme.
• Collaborate closely with design, structural analysis, structural integrity and wider engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Provide technical leadership and direction across materials analysis activities, ensuring work is executed to a high standard and aligned with programme priorities, governance requirements and applicable codes and standards.
• Represent Materials Analysis within multidisciplinary project teams, technical reviews and stakeholder discussions, communicating complex engineering concepts in a clear and effective manner.
• Coach, mentor and develop engineers within the team while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance capability, efficiency and engineering quality.

What You'll Bring

• A degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, alongside professional registration or a desire to work towards it.
• Strong experience applying materials science principles to engineering challenges, including material selection, performance assessment, property derivation and lifecycle considerations.
• Experience developing or applying analytical tools, software and data models, with knowledge of Python, MATLAB, FORTRAN or similar programming environments.
• An understanding of material degradation mechanisms and environmental effects on material performance, ideally gained within the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry.
• Knowledge of relevant engineering codes, standards and regulatory frameworks, with the ability to apply sound engineering judgement to complex technical problems.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with strong communication skills, a commitment to technical excellence and a passion for supporting the development of others.

This role can be based from any Rolls‑Royce SMR location with hybrid working arrangements available. Regular collaboration with colleagues across Derby, Warrington and Manchester will be required, with occasional travel between sites expected. We know there is no such thing as the perfect candidate, so if you believe you meet most of the requirements, we would love to hear from you.

What’s In It For You

We anticipate paying a salary of between £63,600.00 - £83,500.00 DOE plus:

• 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 – 28 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

Why Join Us?

• 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.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we’ll let you in on a secret: there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector‑jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

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