Mechanical Engineering Inspector

Office for Nuclear Regulation; Cheltenham, Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 83,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

London weighting allowance

Job summary

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineering specialist to help ensure safety across Great Britain’s nuclear facilities. You’ll assess safety cases, inspect licensee arrangements on site and mentor colleagues, with exposure to ventilation, lifting, fuel handling, heat transfer and other systems.

Joining ONR means contributing to national energy security, safety and environmental protection, and working with a diverse team of experts to deliver

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of nuclear safety significant mechanical systems across lifecycle.
• Experience in the nuclear industry or high-hazard sectors.
• Ability to provide proportionate, evidence-based safety recommendations.
• Degree or equivalent professional performance and experience.
• Chartered membership or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess safety cases or inspect licensees' arrangements on site.
• Lead technical assessments and provide authoritative advice.
• Engage in investigations, research projects and international collaboration; mentor colleagues.
• Cover systems such as ventilation, lifting, fuel handling, heat transfer, pressure systems and transport packages.

Skills

Nuclear safety systems

Technical judgement

Risk-based recommendations

Education

Honours degree in a relevant subject

Chartered membership or equivalent

Job description

£83,292 - £100,032 (plus a London Weighting allowance of £4,194 if applicable) with a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Bootle, Cheltenham or London (plus hybrid working options)

Relocation package of up to £15,000 may be available

Put your mechanical engineering expertise at the heart of nuclear safety

The UK's nuclear industry is changing rapidly as it supports energy security, decarbonisation, national defence, new technologies and the safe decommissioning of older facilities. At the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), we're looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineering specialist to help ensure this transformation is delivered safely and securely.

The role

You’ll bring your expertise in nuclear safety significant mechanical systems to the regulation of the nuclear industry across Great Britain. Working with colleagues in Mechanical Engineering and Structural Integrity, as well as specialists from other technical disciplines, you’ll primarily assess safety cases or inspect licensees' arrangements on site.

Your work could also include investigations, research projects, international collaboration and mentoring colleagues. You’ll provide authoritative advice in your specialism, lead technical assessments and make proportionate, evidence-based judgements about the adequacy of safety cases and site-based interventions.

The systems you encounter could span ventilation and containment, lifting and fuel handling, power reactors, chemical and process plant, heat transfer, pressure systems and transport packages. This breadth makes the role both technically challenging and genuinely varied.

About you

You’ll bring:

• In-depth technical knowledge of nuclear safety significant mechanical systems across their lifecycle, from design and installation through to operation, maintenance and decommissioning.
• Knowledge of the nuclear industry or another high-hazard sector.
• Strong technical judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to make logical, proportionate and risk-based recommendations.
• A good honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject - or equivalent professional performance and experience.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution - or equivalent professional performance and experience.

ONR regulates a diverse and fascinating sector - from advanced reactor designs and the existing fleet to the nuclear fuel cycle, decommissioning and defence facilities. You’ll work alongside highly experienced specialists, broaden your expertise and contribute directly to protecting workers, the public and the environment.

As the UK's independent nuclear regulator, we offer a supportive, inclusive and flexible working environment where expertise is valued, development is encouraged, and colleagues are empowered to make a meaningful impact.

You’ll join a supportive, inclusive organisation where public service, technical excellence and collaboration are central. Extensive training is provided on the legal and regulatory aspects of the role, with ongoing opportunities to deepen your specialist knowledge.