Lead Specialist - Software Development

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 78,750; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus up to 12.5%

Benefits Allowance of £2,200 per annum

Pension scheme

28 days holidays plus public holidays

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Lead Specialist in Software Development, based in the East Midlands with flexible working options. This role involves providing technical leadership in creating software solutions for engineering analysis, ensuring high standards in a regulated environment.

The ideal candidate will possess a degree in a relevant discipline, strong experience in software tools, and demonstrable technical leadership skills. The position offers hybrid working, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant discipline and Chartered Engineer status or progress towards it.
• Strong experience in software tools for engineering analysis.
• Experience in regulated industries, with knowledge of standards and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for development of software solutions.
• Define strategic direction for engineering software development.
• Ensure robust validation and verification of software quality.

Skills

Software development environments (Python, Azure DevOps)

Technical leadership

Engineering analysis tools (Abaqus, Ansys)

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or related

Tools

Abaqus

Ansys

Job description

Pay Range

£60,000.00 – £78,750.00

Location

Flexible (Warrington, Derby or Manchester) with hybrid working. Requires attendance at the key site as needed for collaboration.

Our Mission

At Rolls‑Royce SMR we are pioneering a new era of clean, affordable nuclear energy. Our Small Modular Reactor programme delivers low‑carbon power at scale, supporting global energy security. We combine world‑class engineering, manufacturing and digital innovation to transform how nuclear power is delivered.

The Team

You will join our Engineering organisation in a highly collaborative, multi‑disciplinary environment that spans structural analysis, thermal, fluid dynamics and beyond. As part of the Engineering Specialist Capability you will operate across teams, providing leadership and influencing how software is used to enable smarter and more efficient engineering analysis.

The Role

As Lead Specialist – Software Development you will provide technical leadership in creating and applying software solutions that enhance engineering analysis across the organisation. You will shape development practices, automate methods, improve quality and enable multi‑disciplinary integration. Acting as a recognised technical authority you will ensure solutions meet the highest standards of validation, verification and regulatory expectations in a highly regulated nuclear environment. This is a strategic, hands‑on role combining deep technical expertise with leadership, mentoring and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the development, verification and implementation of software solutions supporting structural and multi‑disciplinary analysis.
• Define and drive the strategic direction for engineering software development, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and integration across analysis domains.
• Act as the technical authority for software quality, ensuring robust validation and verification across internally developed and supplier‑delivered tools.
• Lead the resolution of complex and ambiguous technical challenges, enabling effective decision‑making across multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
• Strengthen organisational capability by coaching, mentoring and developing engineers engaged in software development activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, supply chain partners and external forums to influence technical direction and incorporate emerging technologies into strategy.

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline, alongside Chartered Engineer status or progress towards it.
• Strong experience in developing, verifying and implementing software tools for engineering analysis, ideally within structural or defect tolerance applications.
• Solid understanding of software development environments such as Python and Azure DevOps, with familiarity in tools such as Abaqus or Ansys.
• Experience working across the full product lifecycle within a regulated industry, including knowledge of relevant standards, quality management and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated technical leadership capability, with experience providing oversight across teams and supply chain partners while driving continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to mentor others and contribute to shaping technical strategy through awareness of industry trends and innovation.

Salary & Package

The salary band for this role is between £60,000 and £78,750, dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. The role may develop further as the programme grows.

Benefits

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity up to 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days (plus public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

Why Join Us?

You will be part of 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, and a culture that values diversity, innovation and continuous learning.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Application Process

• 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