Methods Engineer

KBR, Inc; Burton upon Trent; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday + buy 5

Company pension

Professional development

Hybrid working

Travel to client sites

Job summary

Frazer-Nash Consultancy is seeking a Methods Engineer to join our Nuclear Software team in the Software and Digital Architecture capability. You will design, develop and maintain software for physics‑based analysis across structural, thermal and core physics domains.

The role involves translating maths into robust code, working with clients on site and mentoring others as you lead work packages in a consultancy setting. Hybrid working is offered.

Qualifications

• Degree or PhD in a STEM subject.
• Experience translating mathematical methods into robust code.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB or Fortran.
• Familiarity with Git and CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to work on-site at client sites and in a consultancy environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high quality software components with focus on robustness and performance.
• Translate mathematical methods into software requirements and verify correctness with tests.
• Work closely with clients and SMEs, often on site, to translate requirements into software solutions.
• Participate in code reviews, debugging, and performance profiling to improve quality.
• Over time, guide technical direction and contribute to planning and delivery of projects.
• Contribute to solving high‑consequence problems in nuclear software.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Git

CI/CD

Education

STEM degree or PhD

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Fortran

Job description

Title: Methods Engineer Salary range: £40,000 to £55,000 per annum Location: Burton upon Trent Working Pattern: We operate a flexible hybrid working pattern at Frazer-Nash, with time split between the office, client sites and working from home. This role would require the applicant to be available to work at a client sites in the Derby area when required. Closing date: 25th October 2026 We encourage early applications, as vacancies may close once we receive sufficient applications.

INTEREST

Are you an engineer, scientist or software developer who enjoys solving complex problems and wants to grow into a technical leadership role? This position sits within the Nuclear Software team in Frazer‑Nash Consultancy’s Software and Digital Architecture capability, where our safety‑related software enables the safe design, analysis, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of software engineering, physical sciences, and safety case. You will be involved in all stages of the software development lifecycle including implementing and deploying new applications, improving and advancing in‑service software, user experience and graphical user interface design. This role has a particular focus on physics‑based software in domains such as structural analysis and assessment, thermal analysis, fluid dynamics and core physics, where both domain knowledge and software development skills are required to deliver robust software applications. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to deepen their software development and physics‑based analysis expertise while developing the skills needed to mentor others, influence technical direction, and lead work packages or projects. This role will provide the successful candidate with exposure to nationally significant projects, contributing to the UK's national security, energy security and net zero ambitions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, and maintain high quality software components, with a focus on robustness, performance, and maintainability.
• Translate mathematical methods into software requirements, implement robust solutions in code, and develop test frameworks to verify correctness.
• Work closely with clients and subject matter experts, often on site, to understand requirements and translate them into effective software solutions.
• Participate actively in code reviews, debugging sessions, and performance profiling to improve code quality across the team.
• Over time, take responsibility guiding technical direction and contributing to the planning, delivery and management of project work.
• Thrive in a consultancy environment solving real‑world, high‑consequence challenges.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

We are looking for someone who has:

• Existing professional experience in an engineering, scientific or software development role.
• A degree or PhD in a STEM (Science, technology, engineering or mathematics) subject.
• Experience with programming in a least one of Python, MATLAB or Fortran.
• Experience in physics‑based analysis such as structural analysis, thermal analysis, fluid dynamics, multi‑physics, material modelling or core neutronics.
• Experience of translating mathematical methods into robust computer code.
• Familiarity with collaborative development practices, including Git and CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• The confidence and communication skills to work directly with clients and technical stakeholders.
• Sole UK nationality, due to the nature of the work.

Desirable experience includes:

• Experience working in the nuclear sector.
• Experience in a technical consultancy environment.
• Practical experience applying object oriented design principles and modular software architectures.
• Experience of safety‑related software development against relevant industry standards.
• Experience in development with Fortran 90.
• Experience in using high‑performance computing.

Due to the nature of the work that Frazer-Nash Consultancy undertake, candidates will be required to undergo pre‑employment screening and must be able to satisfy clearance criteria for UK National Security Vetting.

BENEFITS

We provide our people with an excellent benefit and offering package that comprises:

• Competitive salary with yearly reviews
• 25 days holiday + the opportunity to buy 5 days.
• A company that has its heart in the right place and a welcoming work culture.
• Happy to talk flexible working
• Enhanced parental benefits
• Company pension scheme
• Targeted professional development
• Life assurance
• Private healthcare membership
• Bonus scheme linked into company performance
• Paid membership fees to a professional institution
• Support in attaining professional membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season rail ticket loan
• And further optional benefits you can tailor to your personal requirements

Frazer‑Nash is a leading systems, engineering and technology company. We help organisations deliver innovative engineering and technology solutions to make lives safe, secure, sustainable, and affordable. With over 1000 employees, we work from a network of nine UK and four Australian locations. Our people apply their expertise to develop, enhance and protect our clients' critical assets, systems and processes. We use our skills and talents to ensure a sustainable future for society. Our work helps deliver a safe and secure world, where natural resources are conserved, and clean energy is available to all. And we focus on actions to reduce climate change; supporting rapid and far-reaching transformations in the delivery of energy, security, industry, and transport.

At the heart of our business are a set of self‑defined core values. These are part of our DNA and we’re committed to upholding them – internally as part of our Frazer‑Nash family; in the way we work with our customers; and when we engage with the wider world. We care At Frazer‑Nash, we care about each other; always looking to collaborate and see things from the other person’s point of view. We offer mutual support, learn from one another, and work as a team to deliver the best results Everyone has a voice, and we all make the time to listen We will work with openness and collaborate effectively – thinking about our clients and our people, and responding to their needs We care about the difference we make to the wider world. We are trusted Effective collaboration is founded upon trust. We earn the trust of our customers and colleagues by delivering on the commitments we have made to them. We deliver success We deliver value and success to our customers and to our business. We continually strive to be the best at what we do. We want to do things that matter We seek out interesting and satisfying work that helps makes a difference in society We use our expertise to provide trusted, impartial professional advice to our clients By making a difference to today, we benefit the world of tomorrow – so we can all go home each day knowing that we’ve done something that really mattered.