Lead Specialist – Software Development for Engineering Analysis

Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 12.5%

Pension 12% + 6%

Private Medical Insurance

Holidays 28 days + 4 days

Life Assurance 6× pay

Home Office Support £250

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd in a hybrid role across Derby, Manchester or Warrington is seeking a Lead Specialist to steer the software development for engineering analysis. You will lead a small team, define strategy, ensure quality and governance, and elevate software maturity across disciplines.

The role emphasizes coaching engineers, collaborating with Digital + IT, and representing RR‑SMR externally. A degree in Engineering/CS and Chartered status are preferred; salary ranges £60,000–£78,750 with a

Qualifications

• Strong software development experience in Python or similar for engineering workflows.
• Knowledge of quality principles and governance for engineering software.
• Proven ability to improve efficiency, accuracy and repeatability in analysis workflows.
• Experience coaching and upskilling engineers in software methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of software engineers driving high‑complexity projects across disciplines.
• Develop and own the strategy, tools, processes and guidance for high‑quality engineering software development.
• Act as the technical authority for quality of all analysis‑related software, internally or via suppliers.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and quality across analysis workflows and lead change.

Skills

Python development

Engineering workflows

Quality standards

Governance oversight

Coaching

AI/digital trends

Education

Engineering/CS degree

Job description

Role Title: Lead Specialist – Software Development for Engineering Analysis We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy. Rolls‑Royce SMR has an engineering analysis capability covering a broad range of technical disciplines including structural analysis, thermo‑fluid analysis, electrical systems analysis and many more. Some of these play a fundamental role in the safety case for our power station. Software solutions play an increasingly vital role in automating analysis workflows like these, e.g. by streamlining data transfer between disciplines and hence enabling multi‑disciplinary workflows; or by enabling automated design optimisation through analysis. Today, many of these solutions are created using Python‑based tools, and delivered in a democratised fashion by engineers across the analysis teams. Looking ahead, AI/machine-learning-based methods will need to be adopted to stay at the cutting edge of capability, as part of our mission to deliver higher accuracy, faster analysis cycle times, and greater efficiency across the analysis lifecycle.

About the Role

As the Lead Specialist – Software Development for Engineering Analysis, you will provide technical leadership for the creation and development of software solutions that support engineering analysis across the organisation. Using your experience of both relevant software development and engineering workflows, you will create and own the vision for the benefits that this sort of software can provide. You will also define and own the strategy for how RR‑SMR develops this type of software, ensuring the outputs are robust, efficient and have appropriate quality assurance given the safety significance. You will act as the company’s singular technical authority for how this type of software is developed, ensuring all internally developed or supply‑chain‑developed tools meet the highest standards of quality, reliability and governance. A key part of this role is capability building: coaching, mentoring and upskilling engineers undertaking software development, helping them to apply good development practice and ensuring consistent, high‑quality outputs. You will directly build and lead a team of a few dedicated software engineers to look after the more complex tasks, and also support a much broader population of engineers doing some software development as a part of their roles within our analysis discipline teams. This role forms a part of our engineering specialist community, a carefully curated group that provide technical vision and leadership across our engineering capabilities.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead a small team of dedicated software engineers, who will drive software development projects that are either of higher complexity, or which naturally cut‑across multiple teams rather than being contained to a single discipline.
• Develop and own the strategy, tools, processes and guidance required for high‑quality engineering software development
• Act as the technical authority responsible for the quality of all analysis‑related software created internally or by supply‑chain partners
• Identify major opportunities for efficiency and quality improvements across analysis workflows and lead initiatives to deliver them
• Build organisational capability in engineering software development through coaching, mentoring and training
• Work with our DigIT (Digital + IT) function to ensure the right tools and platforms are available, and to integrate the work in your area with the business's wider programme of digital transformation.
• Support complex and ambiguous problem‑solving activities across analysis domains
• Engage with external suppliers, industry forums, research communities etc, to positively represent RR‑SMR, and secure us access to leading capabilities, ideas, ways of working etc.
• Influence and shape RR‑SMR’s long‑term strategy for engineering software development, including the use of AI and advanced digital approaches
• Work collaboratively with specialists across the Engineering Specialist Taxonomy to support cross‑domain challenges and integration

Key Skills Required

• Strong background developing software (using Python or similar) to automate or streamline typical engineering workflows
• Deep knowledge of good practice, external standards and quality principles for engineering software development
• A passion for using software to improve efficiency, accuracy and repeatability in engineering analysis
• An appreciation for typical engineering analysis/simulation workflows, and the associated user stories.
• Experience applying quality management principles to engineering tools, methods and software workflows
• Ability to provide robust technical oversight for software developed internally or by suppliers, including in defining the governance processes needed to enable this.
• Ability to coach, mentor and support engineers developing software solutions, and provide formal training as required to upskill engineering teams in software methods and best practice
• Ability to represent RR‑SMR externally, including with customers, regulators or industry bodies
• Strong awareness of industry trends, digital advancements and AI‑driven opportunities
• Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or related discipline
• Chartered or actively working toward Chartership
• We welcome candidates from a broad range of sectors including nuclear, aerospace, energy, advanced manufacturing, software engineering and other high‑integrity industries.

Location: Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Salary and Package

The salary band for this role will be between £60,000 - £78,750 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be some flexibility in exceptional cases, and the role may evolve as the organisation grows.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays) with 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

You’ll be joining 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, collaboration and continuous learning.

Selection Process

The closing date for this role is 9th September 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.

Pay Range

£60,000.00 - £78,750.00

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

#LI-CE1 #LI-Hybrid #WeAreSMR #destinationnuclear

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR

A career with Rolls‑Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Rolls‑Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls‑Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low‑carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years. With its Rolls‑Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future. We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths‑based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls‑Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

Our culture

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge. Rolls‑Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.

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.

What we offer

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands.

Work is an activity, not a place

We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them.

If there isn't a role which is suitable for you now,