Senior Engineer - Plant Performance

Rolls-Royce SMR

East Midlands

On-site

GBP 51,000 - 67,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 12.5%

Benefits allowance

Pension 12%/6%

28 days holidays

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Home office support

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Plant Performance Engineer to lead sub-teams in developing a standard suite of transient analyses for our SMR. You will re-run analyses as design progresses to track metrics, inform system design and safety substantiation.

You will partner with multidisciplinary teams to prioritise, deliver and govern analysis activities, providing timely insights that shape plant performance and optimisation.

Qualifications

Structured approach to engineering performance analysis.
Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and thermal processes.
Experience with fluids and thermal analysis software.
Experience developing benchmark analysis cases and performance indicators.
Experience with thermal hydraulics tools such as RELAP or FLOMASTER.

Responsibilities

Analyse the performance of the nuclear power station across the energy conversion system.
Deliver plant performance assessments aligned with key design iterations.
Validate plant performance assumptions and support design activities.
Support development and substantiation of plant systems through high-quality analysis.
Interpret analytical results and provide recommendations to improve plant performance.
Contribute to development, validation and continuous improvement of analysis methods, tools and processes.
Coordinate work of engineers within your technical area and support delivery against programmes.
Communicate analysis outputs clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Establish yourself as a technical point of contact for plant performance analysis activities.

Skills

Engineering analysis

Fluid dynamics

Thermal analysis software

Benchmark analysis

Thermal hydraulics tools (RELAP/FLOMA)

Structured performance analysis

Interdisciplinary model integration

Quality assurance & benchmarking

Education

Engineering degree or related

Chartered engineer or equivalent

Tools

RELAP

FLOMASTER

Job description

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 Performance & Analysis team is the centre of excellence within Rolls-Royce SMR for the engineering analysis used to substantiate the performance and safety of the power station.

The team is responsible for developing the analytical methods, models and tools that underpin design decisions across the SMR programme. Through detailed performance, thermal hydraulic and engineering analysis, the team provides the technical evidence required to support plant design, optimisation and safety substantiation.

The successful candidate will join a growing team of specialists who work across the entire power station, developing a whole-plant understanding of how complex systems interact to deliver safe, reliable and efficient nuclear power generation.

About the Role:

As a Senior Plant Performance Engineer, you will lead the work of a sub‑team developing a standard suite of transient analyses reflecting both the duty and abnormal operation of all areas of our SMR.

These analyses will be re‑run at intervals as the design progresses to track figures of merit, improve confidence in design performance and inform both system design and structural assessments.

Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will ensure analysis activities are prioritised, delivered and governed effectively, providing timely insights that support design decisions, substantiation and optimisation. Through the interpretation of analysis results, you will advise design teams on improvements and opportunities that can be implemented as the programme develops.

This is a unique opportunity to develop and apply a whole‑plant perspective, understanding how complex systems interact to deliver safe, reliable and efficient operation of a nuclear power station.

We'll Need You To:

Analyse the performance of the nuclear power station across the complete energy conversion system, including reactor heat generation, steam cycle conversion, cooling water provision and electrical power generation
Deliver plant performance assessments aligned with key design iterations across the engineering function
Validate plant performance assumptions and provide functional data to support subsequent design activities
Support the development and substantiation of plant systems through high‑quality analysis
Interpret analytical results and provide recommendations to improve plant performance and optimise design solutions
Contribute to the development, validation and continuous improvement of analysis methods, tools and processes
Support code verification, model validation and quality assurance activities
Coordinate the work of engineers within your technical area and support delivery against agreed programmes of work
Communicate analysis outputs clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders across the business
Establish yourself as a technical point of contact for plant performance analysis activities

Key Skills Required:

We know there's no such thing as the 'perfect' candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we'd love to hear from you.

Performance Analysis:

Experience applying a structured and methodical approach to engineering performance analysis
Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and thermal processes
Experience using industry‑standard fluids and thermal analysis software
Experience developing and applying benchmark analysis cases and performance indicators
Experience with thermal hydraulics tools such as RELAP, FLOMASTER or similar would be highly beneficial

Development of Analysis Methods, Models & Tools:

Experience developing analysis methods and models to support the robust design of complex energy systems
Experience developing probabilistic analysis methods and tools
Understanding of software development processes and quality assurance arrangements
Experience of interdisciplinary model integration would be advantageous

Quality Assurance of Analysis Codes & Methods:

Experience verifying analytical models and software through benchmarking, testing and quality processes
Experience validating analytical models against experimental data
Understanding of uncertainty quantification and statistical analysis techniques

Relevant Domain Knowledge:

Experience within Nuclear, Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Aerospace or other safety‑critical industries
Understanding of complex fluid, process or thermal systems
Knowledge of Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) would be beneficial
Understanding of engineering safety principles, including ALARP and wider safety substantiation methodologies

Project Management & Leadership:

Experience delivering analysis programmes to time, cost and quality requirements
Ability to lead technical workstreams and support less experienced engineers
Strong technical communication and report writing skills
Ability to explain complex analysis outputs clearly and effectively
Flexibility and adaptability within evolving design programmes
Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills

Qualifications:

Degree‑qualified in Engineering or a related discipline such as Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science
Chartered Engineer, working towards Chartership, or equivalent professional registration

Location:

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

Salary and Package:

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

Benefits include:

Bonus - Performance‑related target opportunity up to 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 the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days
Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover
Life Assurance - 6× pensionable pay
Home Office Support - £250 one‑off payment for new starters

Selection Process:

The closing date for this role is 9th September 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.

Pay Range:

£50,600.00

£66,465.00

Why Join Us?

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.
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: