Senior Engineer - C&I Architecture

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus – 12.5%

Benefits allowance

Pension 12% employer

Holidays 28 days

Private medical insurance

Life assurance 6x pension

Home office support

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited in the UK is seeking a Senior Engineer – C&I Architecture to lead architectural work packages across plant islands, ensuring independence, separation and robust interfaces. You will maintain the architecture model (Capella) and system-level design descriptions while collaborating with safety, systems engineering and project teams.

The role requires significant C&I lifecycle experience, MBSE tooling (Capella) and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Significant experience across the C&I lifecycle including specification, assessment, installation, commissioning and verification.
• Strong understanding of architectural resilience principles (independence, separation, segregation, diversity).
• Knowledge of C&I technologies, digital platforms, protection systems, instrumentation and software/hardware architectures.
• Experience applying IEC 61508/IEC 61513/IEC 61226 or similar safety-critical standards.
• Strong systems engineering capability, including requirements management, interface management and decision-making.
• Experience using MBSE tools (Capella) and requirements tools (DOORS, Polarion).
• Ability to translate high-level plant requirements into clear architectural designs.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; able to engage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead significant architectural work packages and provide design justifications.
• Apply independence, segregation and separation principles to C&I architecture decisions.
• Maintain system-level architectural consistency across major plant islands.
• Develop and manage architecture deliverables including Capella models and design docs.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, safety and integration teams.
• Refine cross-cutting C&I system requirements and ensure lifecycle integration.
• Support architectural verification, validation and reviews.
• Present complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior engineers contributing to architecture development.
• Interface with internal and external stakeholders for alignment.

Skills

C&I design lifecycle

Resilience principles

C&I technologies

IEC standards IEC 61508

MBSE Capella

Requirements management

DOORS / Polarion

Functional architecture

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring teammates

Education

Electrical/Controls/Instrumentation/Systems Eng degree

Tools

Capella MBSE

DOORS

Polarion

Job description

Role Title: Senior Engineer – C&I Architecture

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 Control & Instrumentation (C&I) team is responsible for delivering safe, secure and technically robust control, protection and monitoring systems across the power station. These systems underpin reactor safety, plant operation and the integration of safety‑classified and non‑classified systems. The C&I Architecture function ensures coherence, independence, separation, interface integrity and a unified functional design vision across the entire plant.

About the Role

As a Senior Engineer – C&I Architecture, you will take responsibility for complex architectural work packages and help define the overall C&I architecture for the Rolls‑Royce SMR power station. You will ensure that system‑level architectural principles — including independence, separation and segregation — are robust, technically justified and consistently applied. You will maintain a broad view of the complete station architecture across the reactor, conventional and cooling water islands to ensure alignment, safety and integration. You will work collaboratively with plant‑wide architecture, systems engineering, safety, and project integration teams to maintain consistent interfaces, support cross‑cutting system requirements and ensure architectural updates flow smoothly through the design lifecycle. You will also contribute to and maintain key architectural deliverables including the architecture model (Capella) and system‑level design descriptions. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving complex multi‑disciplinary engineering problems and wants to influence the direction of a next‑generation nuclear power plant.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead significant architectural packages of work, generating design decisions and supporting rationale
• Apply independence, segregation and separation principles to C&I architectural decisions
• Maintain system‑level architectural consistency across all major plant islands
• Develop and manage architecture deliverables including the Capella model and system‑level design documentation
• Collaborate with systems engineering, plant architecture, safety case and wider integration teams
• Support development and refinement of cross‑cutting C&I system requirements
• Ensure architectural changes are captured, reviewed and appropriately integrated into the design lifecycle
• Support architectural verification and validation activities, including reviews
• Present and explain complex architectural concepts to technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Mentor more junior team members contributing to architecture development
• Interface effectively with internal and external stakeholders to support architectural alignment

Key Skills Required

• Significant experience across the C&I system design lifecycle, including specification, assessment, installation, commissioning and verification
• Strong understanding of architectural resilience principles (independence, separation, segregation, diversity)
• Knowledge of C&I technologies, digital platforms, protection systems, instrumentation and software/hardware architectures
• Experience applying industry standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 61513, IEC 61226 or similar from other safety‑critical sectors
• Strong systems engineering capability, including requirements management, interface management and structured decision‑making
• Experience using MBSE tools (Capella preferred) and requirements management tools (e.g. DOORS, Polarion)
• Ability to translate high‑level plant requirements into clear functional and logical architectural designs
• Strong communication and presentation skills, able to convey complex system interactions
• Experience engaging with internal and external stakeholders including safety, engineering, suppliers and regulators
• Ability to provide technical support, coaching and guidance to less‑experienced engineers
• Degree‑qualified in electrical, control, instrumentation or systems engineering, or equivalent experience

Location

Hybrid working with one of the following locations as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington

Salary and Package

The salary band for this will be between £50,650 - £66,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be some flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and, in due course, the role may be developed further.

Benefits

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity 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 ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness and innovation. We offer a flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment, opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business, and a culture that values diversity, collaboration and continuous learning.

Selection Process

The closing date for this role is 16th October 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with and first‑round interviews able to take place straight away. 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 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

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• 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

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.

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 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. 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.