Senior Manager – Core Performance

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 93,187; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 17% target

Benefits allowance £5,000 per annum

Pension 12% employer / 6% employee

28 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Life assurance 6× pensionable pay

Home office stipend £250

Job summary

Rolls‑Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Manager – Core Performance to lead reactor core performance strategy, oversee thermal hydraulics, fuel performance, and advanced simulation, ensuring safety-case readiness across design milestones. This senior role influences the engineering organisation and collaborates with regulators and suppliers.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team of ~30 engineers, shape technical direction, deliver programme milestones, and drive continuous improvement in a highly

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer (or equivalent).
• Significant experience in nuclear engineering, with reactor core design, thermal hydraulics, or fuel performance.
• Proven track record leading complex engineering programmes and delivering milestones.
• Experience managing large teams (10–30+ people).
• Strong understanding of nuclear regulatory frameworks and safety case development.
• Experience with advanced simulation and analysis tools.
• Experience managing suppliers, contracts and external delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver core performance activities across design, analysis, and simulation.
• Define and implement the technical strategy for core thermal and fuel performance.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams, providing leadership and capability development.
• Own delivery of programme milestones, ensuring outputs meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee and govern technical outputs, including safety case substantiation and design documentation.
• Manage key supplier and vendor relationships, including fuel development and analysis contracts.
• Establish and maintain robust engineering governance, configuration control, and best practice processes.
• Engage with regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders to support progression.
• Identify and resolve complex technical and programme challenges, driving continuous improvement.

Skills

Nuclear engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Supplier management

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer

Tools

Core physics/thermal hydraulics codes

Job description

Location

Flexible (UK) – with regular collaboration across Derby, Warrington and Manchester.

Our mission

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are redefining the future of clean energy. Our small modular reactor technology will provide reliable, low‑carbon power to millions—helping the UK and global communities transition to a more sustainable future. We are building a world‑class engineering capability to deliver this ambition, combining nuclear expertise with modern design and manufacturing approaches.

The team

You will join our Nuclear Core Engineering function, working at the heart of reactor design. This role leads a critical part of the organisation responsible for reactor core performance, spanning thermal hydraulics, fuel performance, and advanced simulation capabilities.

You’ll oversee a multidisciplinary team of approximately 30 engineers and specialists, structured across multiple sub‑teams, and collaborate closely with a wider core organisation. The team plays a central role in delivering the core design programme, supporting regulatory engagement, and enabling key design milestones.

The role

As Senior Manager – Core Performance, you will provide technical and programme leadership for one of the most complex and safety‑critical areas of the SMR design. You will be accountable for developing and delivering the reactor core performance strategy, including simulation methods, analytical capability, and thermal and fuel performance. You will lead the development of robust, integrated solutions that underpin the safety case and overall reactor design.

This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across the engineering organisation. You will shape technical direction, drive programme delivery, and play a key role in engagement with regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders.

What you’ll need to do

• Lead and deliver core performance activities across design, analysis, and simulation
• Define and implement the technical strategy for core thermal and fuel performance, including analytical method development
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, providing leadership, coaching, and capability development
• Own delivery of programme milestones, ensuring outputs meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Oversee and govern technical outputs, including safety case substantiation and design documentation
• Manage key supplier and vendor relationships, including fuel development and analysis contracts
• Establish and maintain robust engineering governance, configuration control, and best practice processes
• Engage with internal stakeholders, regulators, and external partners to support programme progression
• Identify and resolve complex technical and programme challenges, driving continuous improvement across the function

What you’ll bring

• Degree‑qualified in a relevant engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)
• Significant experience in nuclear engineering, with strong expertise in reactor core design, thermal hydraulics, or fuel performance
• Proven track record of leading complex engineering programmes and delivering against challenging milestones
• Experience managing large teams (10–30+ people) and developing high‑performing engineering organisations
• Strong understanding of nuclear regulatory frameworks and safety case development (e.g. ALARP, BAT principles)
• Experience working with advanced simulation and analysis tools (e.g. core physics or thermal hydraulics codes)
• Demonstrable experience managing suppliers, contracts, and external technical delivery
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align stakeholders at all levels
• A collaborative, proactive approach with the ability to drive decisions in a complex, evolving programme
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement in a highly regulated engineering environment

What’s in it for you

• Salary between £71,000 and £93,200 DOE plus
• Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 17%
• Benefits Allowance – £5,000 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• One‑off payment of £250 for new starters for home office purchases

Pay range

£71,000.00 – £93,187.50

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.

Inclusion & diversity

We are an equal‑opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is central to our culture, and we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We are a Disability Confident organisation and welcome individuals considering a sector move, particularly those with transferable experience from other regulated or safety‑critical industries.

If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we would love to hear from you.

We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable workplace adjustments where required to support individuals in performing at their best.