Senior Engineer Chemical

Nuclear Restoration Services; Thurso; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclear Restoration Services is seeking an experienced Senior Chemical Engineer to join the Shaft & Silo Programme in the UK. You will lead the development of a new process plant for treating contaminated effluent and manage associated ILW, ensuring safety, compliance and alignment with programme objectives.

You will collaborate with regulators, stakeholders and the supply chain, providing Intelligent Customer oversight and governance throughout delivery, shaping robust engineering solutions for

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered engineer status would be an advantage.
• Experience in effluent treatment technologies and regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of a new process plant for contaminated effluent treatment and ILW management.
• Act as technical lead and Intelligent Customer for process engineering contracts.
• Engage regulators, stakeholders and supply chain to develop compliant treatment solutions.
• Provide technical governance, Design Authority oversight across the engineering lifecycle.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Decision making

Education

Chemical/Process Engineering degree

Chartered engineer status (advantage)

Tools

Chemical characterisation

Chemical precipitation

Solid/liquid separations

Membrane processes

Ion exchange

Evaporation and drying

Cementation

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced engineer to join the Shaft & Silo Programme as a Senior Chemical Engineer. This role offers the chance to apply your expertise to one of the UK's most significant nuclear hazard reduction programmes, leading the development and delivery of a safe, compliant and effective liquid effluent treatment solution that shall be critical to the success of the programme and supports the retrieval of legacy radioactive waste.

What You'll Be Doing

You will lead the development of a new process plant for the treatment of contaminated and chemically complex effluent, and management of associated Intermediate Level Waste (ILW), ensuring engineering activities are safe, compliant and aligned with programme objectives. You will collaborate with regulators, stakeholders and supply chain partners, provide Intelligent Customer oversight, and maintain effective technical governance throughout project delivery.

• Develop and implement engineering and safety case strategies
• Act as technical lead and Intelligent Customer for specialist process engineering contracts, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, standards and best practice
• Build strong working relationships engaging extensively with regulators, stakeholders and our supply chain partners to develop innovative and compliant treatment solutions.
• Provide technical governance, Design Authority oversight and specification development across the engineering lifecycle

What You'll Bring

You will be a qualified Chemical or Process Engineer with proven experience delivering engineering solutions in a complex or highly regulated environment. You will combine strong technical knowledge with excellent communication, analytical and decision-making skills, enabling you to influence stakeholders, provide sound engineering judgement and lead the resolution of challenging technical issues.

• Degree qualified in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered engineering status would be an advantage
• Significant relevant engineering experience, particularly working knowledge in effluent treatment technologies such as, but not limited to: chemical characterisation, chemical precipitation, solid/liquid separations, membrane processes, ion exchange, evaporation and drying, cementation
• Experience working in the nuclear industry or another highly regulated sector
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making and stakeholder engagement skills
• Post specific capability analysis assessment

We are looking to hold interviews week commencing Monday 05 October 2026, however, please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact [e-mail] at the appropriate time so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment.

Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.