Manager - Core Components

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 12.5%

Benefits Allowance £2,200 per annum

Pension 12% employer and 6% employee

Holidays 28 days + buy/sell up to 4

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance 6x pensionable pay

Home office starter allowance £250

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Manager - Core Components to lead a team of engineers delivering integrated solutions for reactor core components. The role combines deep technical design with people management, governance, and strategic planning in a hybrid UK setting.

The successful candidate will drive programme delivery across the Core Components portfolio, shaping product strategies and collaborating with design, manufacturing and regulatory teams to ensure safe, effective deployment of

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline; Chartered Engineer status or active progress towards registration.
• Significant experience leading the design, development and delivery of complex engineered products in regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of reactor core components (fuel assemblies, control rod assemblies, neutron source assemblies or core monitoring equipment).
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams and developing talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of integrated Core Component solutions with technical maturity and successful integration.
• Provide leadership to a growing team and foster an inclusive, high-performing environment.
• Define and implement delivery strategies, governance and operating models for programme execution.
• Manage complex product development programmes balancing technical, schedule, cost, and resource needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, suppliers, customers and regulators.
• Ensure high-quality outputs through governance and compliance with processes.
• Shape future Core Components strategy and long-term capability.

Skills

Leadership of engineering teams

Programme management

Regulated industry experience

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline; Chartered Engineer status or active progress towards registration

Job description

Pay Range

£60,000.00

Location

Hybrid with attendance at any Rolls-Royce SMR location, including Warrington, Derby or Manchester as required

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we're transforming the future of clean energy by delivering a new generation of nuclear power stations designed to provide affordable, low-carbon electricity for generations to come. Through world-class engineering, innovation and collaboration, we're helping to meet growing global energy demand while supporting the transition to a more sustainable future.

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in one of the UK's most exciting and complex engineering programmes.

The Team

You’ll join the Nuclear Equipment team within Engineering and lead the Core Components team, responsible for some of the most safety-critical systems within the reactor core. Working across a broad range of disciplines, you'll collaborate closely with component design, systems engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, verification, programme management and commercial teams.

As the team continues to grow, you'll have the opportunity to shape its future capability, develop engineering talent and establish the strategies, governance and delivery models needed to support the successful deployment of Rolls‑Royce SMR technology.

The Role

As Manager - Core Components, you'll be accountable for the development and delivery of the integrated technical solution across the Core Components portfolio. Leading a team of engineers and technical specialists, you'll ensure the successful maturity of the design while driving programme delivery, governance, quality and strategic planning.

This is a highly influential leadership role, combining deep technical expertise with people leadership, programme management and stakeholder engagement. You'll play a key role in defining future product strategies, developing organisational capability and ensuring the successful integration of Core Components into the wider power station design.

What We’ll Need You To Do

• Lead the development of integrated Core Component solutions, driving technical maturity, performance and successful integration into the wider reactor design.
• Provide leadership and direction to a growing team, creating an inclusive, high-performing environment that supports capability development and long-term delivery objectives.
• Define and implement delivery strategies, governance arrangements and operating models that enable successful programme execution.
• Manage complex product development programmes, balancing technical, schedule, cost and resource requirements to achieve key milestones.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders, suppliers, customers and regulators to support successful design and delivery outcomes.
• Ensure high-quality engineering outputs through appropriate assurance, governance and compliance with business processes.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Core Components capability, anticipating future programme needs and building the foundations for long-term success.

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, alongside Chartered Engineer status or active progress towards professional registration.
• Significant experience leading the design, development and delivery of complex engineered products within highly regulated industries.
• Strong technical knowledge of reactor core components, ideally including Fuel Assemblies, Control Rod Assemblies, Neutron Source Assemblies or Core Monitoring Equipment.
• A proven track record of leading engineering teams, developing talent and creating a collaborative culture that enables high performance.
• Experience managing complex programmes, budgets and delivery plans while navigating ambiguity and competing priorities.
• The ability to build trusted relationships across technical and business functions, influencing stakeholders at all levels of an organisation.
• Excellent communication, leadership and decision‑making skills, combined with a strategic mindset and a passion for developing future engineering capability.

Pay And Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £60,000 - £78,750 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

You’ll be joining a rapidly growing organisation at a critical stage of its development, offering excellent opportunities for learning, professional development, and long-term career progression within a purpose-driven and innovative environment.

Pay Range

£60,000.00

£78,750.00

Why Join Us?

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.
• 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