Senior Manager - Reactor Build

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

Benefits offered by this job

17% performance related bonus

Long-term incentive scheme

Benefits allowance £5,000

Pension – 12% employer, 6% employee

Holidays – 28 days + public holidays (

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay

£250 home office setup payment

Job summary

Rolls Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Manager, Reactor Build to lead the development and delivery of the operating model and capability required to deliver Reactor Build across RR SMR programmes. The role will work with the Plant Delivery Mobilisation team to define how reactor systems are assembled, installed, tested and handed over safely and efficiently.

Hybrid working from Derby, Manchester or Warrington with regular supplier travel and some international travel.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in regulated or safety-critical environments.
• Proven track record leading operational teams.
• Experience developing operational methods, standards and execution plans.
• Experience establishing or scaling new operational capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop operating model, methods, processes, standards and organizational capability for Reactor Build.
• Translate designs into executable operational solutions deployed safely and at scale.
• Establish methods engineering, process development and workforce capability.
• Lead creation and growth of a specialist Reactor Build organisation.

Skills

Manufacturing

Assembly

Construction

Commissioning

Operational delivery

Industrialisation

Major programmes

Job description

Rolls Royce SMR is on a mission to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. As the leading Small Modular Reactor programme in Europe, we’re building a British solution to a global energy challenge and shaping one of the country’s most significant green export opportunities.

The time has come to recruit a Senior Manager, Reactor Build who will be accountable for developing, implementing and continuously improving the operational capability required to deliver Reactor Build activities across all RR SMR programmes. Working closely with the Plant Delivery Mobilisation team, the role is responsible for all “Do” aspects of Reactor Build, establishing how reactor systems will be assembled, installed, tested and handed over safely, efficiently and repeatedly. This will include:

• Developing the operating model, methods, processes, standards, competencies and organisational capability required to deliver Reactor Build

• Translating product designs and delivery strategies into executable operational solutions that can be deployed safely and at scale across future projects.

• Establishing the methods engineering, process development, operational standards and workforce capability needed to execute Reactor Build activities

• Leading the creation and growth of a specialist Reactor Build organisation capable of supporting First-of-a-Kind delivery and subsequent fleet deployment activities

We seek an influential and resilient leader who will have had exposure in regulated or safety‑critical environments (as you would expect nuclear “know-how” will be of of great interest to us, whilst those from defence, aerospace and energy sectors may all have transferable capability). We will need your application to showcase your experience and knowledge in the following areas:

• Significant experience in manufacturing, assembly, construction, commissioning, operational delivery, industrialisation or major programme execution environments

• Demonstrable track record of leading operational teams in regulated and safety-critical environments.

• Development operational methods, procedures, tooling strategies, technical standards and execution plans for complex industrial or engineering activities

• Establishing or scaling new operational capabilities, functions or delivery organisations, including development of people, processes, governance and technical standards

The above is but a summary, a full role profile is available from Alex Jordan (I am easy to find on LinkedIn) and the closing date for applications is 20-Sept-2026.

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be basedfromour Derby,Manchesteror Warrington office.Hybrid working is standard, with regular supplier travelrequired.Some international travel may also be required depending on supplier activity.In return we offer:

• A salary between £71,000 and £93,200 depending on experience

• 17%performance relatedbonusand a longer term incentive scheme

• A benefits allowance of £5,000 to build a personalised package

• Pension – 12% employer, 6% employee

• Holidays – 28 days + public holidays (optionto buy/sell up to 4 days)

• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay

• £250one-offhome officesetup payment

You’lljoin aforward thinking, inclusive and innovative organisation offering:

• A flexible and supportive working environment

• Opportunities for career progression and professional development

• A culture that values diversity,innovationand continuous learning

Pay Range:

£71,000.00

£93,187.50

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.

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