Senior Layout Engineer – Fuelling Block

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Pension

Healthcare

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Rolls‑Royce SMR in the UK is seeking a Senior Layout Engineer for the Fuelling Block, with hybrid working at Derby, Warrington or Manchester. The role focuses on shaping layout, modularisation and installation strategies for a safety-critical area of the Reactor Island and requires leading integrated design across mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

You will partner with Nuclear Safety and Licensing teams to support GDA activities, manage interfaces across engineering disciplines, and

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline with Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards Chartership.
• Strong understanding of requirements management, engineering governance and multidisciplinary design review processes.
• Experience leading complex layout, integration or installation design activities through concept, developed and detailed design phases.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated layout and installation design across the Fuelling Block balancing safety, operability, maintainability and delivery efficiency.
• Coordinate interfaces across Mechanical Handling, Components, Systems Engineering, Civil, Architecture, Operations, Human Factors, CAD and Supply Chain teams.
• Drive technical decision-making through design reviews and trade-off studies to resolve complex integration challenges.
• Develop and maintain engineering delivery plans ensuring milestones are met within cost, quality and schedule.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and lessons learned to support continuous improvement.
• Support modular construction and installation strategies, defining efficient assembly, transportation, installation and commissioning approaches.

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree or related discipline

Job description

Role: Senior Layout Engineer – Fuelling Block

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

Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge. We are uniquely positioned to become a world leader in SMR technology, helping to strengthen energy security whilst creating one of the UK's most significant clean energy export opportunities.

The Team

The Reactor Island team is responsible for developing the heart of our SMR power station. Bringing together expertise from across engineering disciplines, the team is pioneering innovative approaches to plant integration, modularisation and delivery that will transform how nuclear power stations are designed, built and commissioned.

The Role

In this context, we are looking for a Senior Layout Engineer to join our Fuelling Block team, reporting to the Fuelling Block Layout Manager. Working within a highly collaborative engineering environment, you’ll play a central role in shaping the layout, modularisation and installation strategy for one of the most complex and safety-critical areas of the Reactor Island, helping to turn our ambitious vision into a deployable reality. You will be responsible for progressing the design and delivery of a defined Layout scope within the SMR Fuelling Block, developing integrated solutions across mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems and installation assemblies. Working across the full engineering lifecycle, you’ll influence everything from concept development and design optimisation through to manufacturing, installation, commissioning and long-term operation. Getting layout, modularisation and installation design right is fundamental to the success of our programme and a critical part of our innovative approach to deploying nuclear power at scale.

We’ll Need You To:

• Leading the development of integrated layout and installation solutions across the Fuelling Block, ensuring designs balance safety, operability, maintainability, constructability and delivery efficiency.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary engineering activities and managing interfaces across Mechanical Handling, Components, Systems Engineering, Civil, Architecture, Operations, Human Factors, CAD and Supply Chain teams.
• Driving technical decision-making through design reviews, trade‑off studies and robust engineering methodologies to resolve complex integration and routing challenges.
• Developing and maintaining engineering delivery plans, ensuring key programme milestones are achieved to agreed cost, quality and schedule objectives.
• Identifying, managing and mitigating technical risks, assumptions and issues, whilst capturing lessons learned to support continuous improvement.
• Supporting modular construction and installation strategies, helping define efficient assembly, transportation, installation and commissioning methodologies.
• Producing, reviewing and approving high‑quality technical documentation, reports and engineering deliverables that support design substantiation and regulatory engagement.
• Presenting engineering solutions during internal governance reviews and external stakeholder engagements, building confidence in design maturity and delivery readiness.
• Working closely with Nuclear Safety and Licensing teams to support the UK Generic Design Assessment (GDA) programme through the development of robust technical evidence and regulatory submissions.
• Whilst the role does not have direct line management responsibility, you will be expected to lead and influence a broad network of stakeholders across engineering and project functions to successfully deliver your scope.

Why This Role?

As you can see, this is a pivotal role within our engineering organisation. You’ll bring a systems‑thinking mindset, strong technical judgement and the ability to influence across multiple disciplines, thriving in an environment where collaboration, innovation and delivery excellence are critical to success.

What We’re Looking For

Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards Chartership. We’ll ask about your experience leading complex layout, integration or installation design activities through concept, developed and detailed design phases within highly regulated environments. Strong understanding of requirements management, engineering governance, technical risk management and multidisciplinary design review processes. Experience developing engineering solutions that consider commissioning, maintenance, operability, fault scenarios, constructability and through‑life performance. Proven ability to manage interfaces and align stakeholders across multiple engineering disciplines and project functions. Experience in mechanical systems integration including piping, cable routing, ventilation, HVAC or mechanical handling systems. Knowledge of Nuclear Fuel Route systems, Reactor Island integration, modular construction approaches or nuclear plant design would be particularly advantageous. Familiarity with UK nuclear regulatory expectations, including Generic Design Assessment (GDA) activities, safety case development or equivalent design substantiation processes would be beneficial.

Location

We offer hybrid working and expect regular attendance at one of our offices in Manchester, Warrington or Derby, alongside occasional travel to support project activities, stakeholder engagement and technical reviews.

What’s In It For Me?

The salary for this role is competitive and will reflect the skills, knowledge and experience you bring.

We also offer an attractive benefits package including bonus opportunity, pension, healthcare and generous annual leave.

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, inclusion and innovation. As we continue to scale, you’ll have the opportunity to influence nationally significant engineering programmes, develop your career alongside leading industry experts and help shape the future of clean energy.

Selection Process

We anticipate paying a salary of between £50,650-£66,500 DOE plus:

• 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
• Inclusion & Diversity

Inclusion & Diversity

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. We are happy to discuss flexible working. We will also make workplace adjustments for disabled employees if these are needed to help them perform at their best in the role, and we are happy to discuss this once a job offer has been made.

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 and diverse experiences that can help us achieve our ambitions.

Our Application Process

• 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

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.

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.

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.

Our Team | Rolls‑Royce SMR

We’re always on the lookout for the best talent. If there isn’t a role which is suitable for you now, you can Introduce Yourself.