Nuclear Core Physics Opportunities - Submarines

Rolls-Royce; Derby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company is seeking candidates for Nuclear Core Physics opportunities in Derby. This role involves designing reactor cores, supporting the UK submarine fleet, and collaborating with industry partners. Ideal candidates have a relevant degree and experience in reactor physics. The company promotes an inclusive culture and offers excellent development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Exceptional benefits

Employee support assistance

Qualifications

• Strong academic background with a relevant degree (undergraduate, master's, or PhD).
• Experience working in reactor physics or the wider nuclear industry.
• Ability to quickly establish credibility with any audience.
• Willingness to learn from others and collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Design and substantiate reactor cores using Deterministic and Stochastic methods.
• Support manufacture of reactor cores.
• Design experiments and perform measurements in zero-energy critical benchmarking facility.
• Support UK submarine fleet with onboard tests and trials.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Collaboration

Education

Relevant degree in engineering, physics, or a scientific subject

Job description

Overview

Nuclear Core Physics Opportunities — Full time, Derby, Raynesway

A range of exciting Reactor Physics opportunities are available within Reactor Engineering at Rolls-Royce Submarines, for physicists at all stages of their career.

Why Rolls-Royce?

Rolls-Royce is one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. We design, build and service systems that provide critical power to customers where safety and reliability are paramount.

We are proud to be a force for progress, powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

We want to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that has shaped our history continues into our future and we need people like you to come and join us on this journey.

We’ll provide an environment of caring and belonging where you can be yourself. An inclusive, innovative culture that invests in you, gives you access to an incredible breadth and depth of opportunities where you can grow your career and make a difference.

What we offer

We offer excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

What you will be doing

Core Physics offers a variety of roles including:

• Designing and substantiating reactor cores using both Deterministic and Stochastic methods.
• Supporting manufacture of reactor cores.
• Designing experiments and performing measurements in our zero-energy critical benchmarking facility.
• Supporting the UK submarine fleet with onboard tests and trials.
• Connecting with other centres of physics knowledge and skills, such as our industry partner, civil nuclear and academia.
• Researching, developing, and applying new and novel improvements across all areas of reactor physics, including validation of new methods, and exploring ways to maximise operational capability.

Who we are looking for

At Rolls-Royce we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form the behaviours that guide us and are an essential component of our assessment process. They are the fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

Reactor physics opportunities are available at all levels from those expecting to graduate in the near-future to experienced senior physicists, with the specifics of each role tailored to the successful candidate. We’re looking for candidates with:

• A strong academic background with a relevant degree (undergraduate, masters, or PhD) in engineering, physics, or a scientific subject.
• Experience working in reactor physics or the wider nuclear industry.
• An analytical mindset, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
• The ability to communicate effectively with any audience, quickly establishing credibility and buy-in.
• A willingness to learn from others and collaborate to achieve wider goals.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives which are crucial to innovation and problem solving. We believe the more diverse perspectives we have, the more successful we’ll be. By building a culture of caring and belonging, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.

You can learn more about our global Inclusion strategy at Our people | Rolls-Royce

To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines business an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.

Job Category Validation and Verification

Posting Date 15 Sept 2025; 00:09

Posting End Date 29 Sept 2025