Senior CAD Engineer

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: £50,650-£66,500 DOE

Bonus – 12.5% target

Benefits Allowance – £2,200

Pension – 12% employer / 6% employee

Holidays – 28 days + 8 bank holidays

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited is recruiting a Senior CAD Engineer for a hybrid role with Derby, Warrington or Manchester as the primary location. You will deliver high‑integrity 3D models and assemblies, drive layout integration across systems, and own complex work packages in a regulated, fast‑growing environment.

Working in a high‑performing CAD team, you’ll shape standards, deploy CAD tools, and collaborate with the Configuration team on libraries and PLM integration.

Qualifications

• Recognised engineering or design qualification, or equivalent hands‑on CAD experience.
• Experience delivering integrated CAD models and layouts within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of 3D CAD systems and GD&T standards (ASME Y14.5 / BS8888).
• Experience working in configuration‑controlled environments, including change management & lifecycle governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of high‑integrity 3D models, assemblies and drawings with quality, compliance and traceability.
• Drive multidisciplinary layout integration and resolve spatial/interface conflicts across systems.
• Own complex work packages and deliver outcomes independently while influencing engineering decisions.
• Shape CAD standards, tools and best practices; support continuous improvement and capability maturity.
• Collaborate with Configuration team developing classification libraries and PLM integration.

Skills

3D CAD

Siemens NX

Aveva E3D/PDMS

GD&T (ASME Y14.5 / BS8888)

Configuration management

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent CAD experience

Tools

NX

AVEVA E3D/PDMS

PLM software

Job description

Role: Senior CAD Engineer Locations: Hybrid working with one of the following locations as primary: Derby, Warrington or Manchester

About Us

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, positioning us at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. We are set to become a global leader in SMRs and the UK’s flagship green export technology.

The Team

The CAD team defines, integrates, and controls the product definition for the entire powerplant. Operating at the centre of multidisciplinary engineering, we deliver high‑integrity 3D models and layouts that enable safe, efficient, and innovative SMR design across multiple global programmes.

The Role

In this context, we are looking for a Senior CAD Engineer to support the delivery of integrated product definitions across our SMR programme. Working within a high‑performing CAD team, this is a pivotal role shaping how complex engineering designs are realised, integrated, and governed in a fast-scaling, highly regulated environment.

Key Deliverables

• Leading development of high‑integrity 3D models, assemblies, and drawings, ensuring quality, compliance, and traceability
• Driving multidisciplinary layout integration, resolving spatial and interface conflicts across systems
• Owning complex work packages, delivering outcomes independently while influencing engineering decisions
• Shaping CAD standards, tools, and best practices, supporting continuous improvement and capability maturity
• Collaboration with the Configuration team developing the classification libraries and integration with PLM software

Why This Role

This is a high-impact, technically demanding position where you’ll bring structured thinking, engineering curiosity, and a pragmatic mindset, enabling you to translate complex requirements into robust, scalable digital design solutions. Support the integration of major CAD software packages for deployment across the business.

Skills & Experience

A recognised engineering or design qualification, or equivalent hands‑on experience in complex CAD environments preferably Aveva E3D/PDMS and NX with transferable skills between software environments. We’ll ask about your experience delivering integrated CAD models and layouts within multidisciplinary engineering teams. Strong knowledge of 3D CAD systems (ideally Siemens NX and/or Aveva E3D) and engineering GD&T standards conforming to ASME Y14.5 / BS8888 for drafting and ISO14084 for Process diagrams. Experience working within configuration‑controlled environments, including change management and lifecycle governance.

Location

We offer hybrid working, with an expectation to attend one of our core offices in Derby, Warrington, or Manchester on a regular basis, with occasional travel as required.

What’s in it for you

• Salary: £50,650-£66,500 DOE
• 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 5 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

Selection Process

The process will include an initial discussion with Talent Acquisition, followed by 1–2 technical interview stages. We aim to provide timely feedback throughout. Due to the nature of our industry, successful candidates will be required to complete appropriate pre‑employment screening, including BPSS and DBS checks.

Inclusion & Diversity

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we’d love to hear from you—there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate.

Pay Range

£50,600.00 - £66,465.00

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’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths‑based organisation. 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. Why join us? You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. 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 can thrive. 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. 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 | Rolls‑Royce SMR Join our talent community We're always on the lookout for the best talent. If there isn't a role which is suitable for you now,