Manager - Simulation Development

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus – Performance-related target up 

Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum

Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee

Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays)

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay

Home Office Support – £250 one-off

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Manager – Simulation Development to lead the team delivering Engineering Simulator capability across the SMR programme. You will govern both analysis and real‑time simulation, drive governance, quality and delivery performance, and engage with stakeholders and suppliers.

The role is hybrid with primary sites in Derby, Manchester or Warrington. You will shape capability roadmaps, manage resources, and ensure simulator activities meet safety and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Control Systems, Modelling & Simulation or related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience leading technical engineering, simulation, modelling, controls, software or digital delivery teams.
• Chartered Engineer status, Incorporated Engineer status, or evidence of working towards professional registration is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Simulation Development team, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture.
• Own the Engineering Simulator development portfolio across both analysis and real‑time simulation capabilities.
• Ensure simulator development activities are effectively prioritised, planned and governed.
• Oversee delivery of the Engineering Simulator Analysis Build supporting power station performance analysis.
• Oversee delivery of Real‑Time Simulator capabilities supporting control room simulation, C&I verification and validation and wider operational readiness activities.
• Establish and maintain robust governance, configuration management, quality and release management processes.
• Develop resource plans, capability roadmaps and delivery forecasts.
• Manage competing stakeholder requirements and programme priorities.
• Support effective decision making through transparent reporting of milestones, risks, dependencies and constraints.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Collaborate with teams across Performance Analysis, Human Factors, Systems Engineering, C&I, Verification & Validation and programme delivery functions.
• Establish strategic relationships with relevant organisations to benchmark best practice and identify opportunities for capability improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement across simulator capability, tools, processes and ways of working.

Skills

People Leadership

Technical leadership

Delivery Management

Stakeholder Management

Governance & Assurance

Simulation & Digital Engineering

Supplier Management

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status desirable

Job description

Role Title: Manager – Simulation Development

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. The Power Station Performance Simulation team is responsible for developing and maintaining the Engineering Simulator capability that underpins critical aspects of the SMR programme. The simulator supports plant performance analysis, control room development, Human Factors assessments, control and instrumentation verification and validation, and future operational training and readiness activities.

About the Role

As Manager – Simulation Development, you will lead the team responsible for delivering, governing and continuously improving the Engineering Simulator capability across the SMR programme. You will provide leadership for simulator capability development, governance and stakeholder engagement across both analytical simulation and real‑time simulator applications. Technical leadership for individual simulator workstreams will be delegated within the team, allowing you to focus on team effectiveness, delivery governance, capability development, stakeholder alignment, supplier management and strategic direction. You will be accountable for ensuring that simulator capabilities continue to support a broad range of engineering, operational and programme needs while maintaining robust governance, quality standards and delivery performance.

We’ll Need You To

• Lead and develop the Simulation Development team, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture
• Own the Engineering Simulator development portfolio across both analysis and real‑time simulation capabilities
• Ensure simulator development activities are effectively prioritised, planned and governed
• Oversee delivery of the Engineering Simulator Analysis Build supporting power station performance analysis
• Oversee delivery of Real‑Time Simulator capabilities supporting control room simulation, C&I verification and validation and wider operational readiness activities
• Establish and maintain robust governance, configuration management, quality and release management processes
• Develop resource plans, capability roadmaps and delivery forecasts
• Manage competing stakeholder requirements and programme priorities
• Support effective decision making through transparent reporting of milestones, risks, dependencies and constraints
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners
• Collaborate with teams across Performance Analysis, Human Factors, Systems Engineering, C&I, Verification & Validation and programme delivery functions
• Establish strategic relationships with relevant organisations to benchmark best practice and identify opportunities for capability improvement
• Drive continuous improvement across simulator capability, tools, processes and ways of working

Key Skills Required

• People Leadership & Capability Development
• Experience leading, developing and motivating technical engineering, modelling, simulation or software‑enabled delivery teams
• Experience creating clarity around roles, responsibilities and delivery ownership
• Experience with recruitment, performance management, mentoring and succession planning
• Ability to build a culture that promotes collaboration, accountability, quality and continuous improvement
• Delivery Management
• Experience managing complex technical portfolios with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Ability to develop and manage delivery plans, resource forecasts, dependency maps and risk registers
• Experience governing iterative, sprint‑based or release‑based technical development activities
• Ability to balance quality, cost, schedule and scope while maintaining delivery commitments
• Simulation & Digital Engineering
• Understanding of integrated plant simulation, modelling and simulator development environments
• Awareness of real‑time simulation, engineering analysis models and software‑enabled engineering workflows
• Familiarity with model integration, software release processes, verification and validation principles, and configuration management
• Experience within nuclear, safety‑critical or highly regulated engineering environments is advantageous
• Stakeholder & Supplier Management
• Experience managing technical interfaces across engineering disciplines, suppliers and customers
• Ability to translate stakeholder needs into clear simulator development priorities and delivery plans
• Strong communication skills, capable of explaining simulator capability, maturity, risks and constraints to technical and senior stakeholders
• Experience managing supplier relationships and specialist technical support arrangements
• Governance & Assurance
• Understanding of governance requirements for engineering models, technical data and simulator capabilities
• Experience managing technical reviews, release gates, configuration control and quality assurance processes
• Understanding of verification, validation and uncertainty management approaches
• Ability to manage risk effectively and make structured decisions within complex delivery environments

Qualifications

Degree‑qualified in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Control Systems, Modelling & Simulation or a related discipline Demonstrable experience leading technical engineering, simulation, modelling, controls, software or digital delivery teams Chartered Engineer status, Incorporated Engineer status, or evidence of working towards professional registration is desirable.

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 flexibility in exceptional cases, reflecting the leadership responsibility of the role.

• 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 (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

Selection Process

The closing date for this role is 6th 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

- £

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

• 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

Rolls‑Royce SMR

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.

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. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls‑Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.

Our Team

We’re always on the lookout for the best talent. If there isn’t a role which is suitable for you now, you can Introduce Yourself.