Senior Reactor System Design Engineer

Rolls-Royce SMR; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 50,650 - 66,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus target opportunity: 12.5%

Benefits Allowance: £2,200 per annum

Pension: 12% employer contribution

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

Home office equipment payment: £250

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Reactor System Design Engineer to join their team based in the UK. This role focuses on leading the design of complex systems for nuclear power, ensuring robust and compliant solutions. The position provides hybrid working options, allowing you to work flexibly between Warrington, Derby, or Manchester.

Your responsibilities will include developing system requirements and documentation while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Strong engineering principles and experience in regulated environments are essential.

The role offers a competitive salary and benefits package aimed at fostering innovation and engineering excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering complex system design work within nuclear or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles.
• Practical experience in mechanical or process system design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of system design packages for the Reactor Island.
• Develop and manage system requirements supporting verification and evidence.
• Produce high-quality engineering documentation for regulatory submissions.

Skills

System design

Requirements management

Mechanical design

Communication

Safety-critical systems

Education

Degree in engineering or relevant technical discipline

Job description

Location

Hybrid – Derby, Warrington or Manchester

Our Mission

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are revolutionising clean energy through the delivery of scalable, affordable nuclear power. Our mission is to provide reliable low‑carbon energy that supports global net zero ambitions while driving innovation and engineering excellence at every stage of the programme.

The Team

You will join the Reactor Plant and Systems team, a multidisciplinary engineering function responsible for the design and development of the systems that underpin the Reactor Island. The team brings together expertise across mechanical, fluid and safety‑critical systems, working collaboratively to develop robust, licensable and high‑performing designs. Operating within a highly regulated environment, the team plays a critical role in progressing the programme through detailed design and regulatory approval.

The Role

As a Senior Reactor System Design Engineer, you will lead the development of complex process and mechanical system designs across the Reactor Island. You will translate high‑level requirements into robust, evidence‑based design solutions that meet stringent regulatory and safety expectations, and contribute to the whole lifecycle of system design from concept to licensing support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of system design packages to ensure technical robustness, alignment with programme requirements and on‑time delivery.
• Develop and manage system requirements, ensuring designs are clearly defined, traceable and supported by verification and evidence.
• Produce high‑quality engineering documentation, including design reports, system definitions and substantiation artefacts supporting safety cases and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, including regulators, to resolve technical challenges and maintain programme momentum.
• Identify and manage risks and opportunities within the design scope, ensuring effective mitigation and continuous improvement.
• Apply design governance, configuration control and assurance processes to maintain consistency, quality and compliance.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers, supporting capability growth and driving a high‑performance team environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering complex system design work within nuclear or another highly regulated or safety‑critical industry.
• A degree in an engineering or relevant technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, integration and structured design approaches.
• Practical experience in mechanical or process system design, such as fluid systems, HVAC, chemical or plant‑based systems.
• Confidence in producing and reviewing detailed technical documentation such as P&IDs, calculations and design substantiation reports.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage and build credibility across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to lead technical work, solve problems and support the development of others.

Benefits

• Salary range: £50,650 – £66,500 DOE (or £50,600 – £66,465 for UK currency).
• Performance‑related bonus target opportunity: 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 option to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care.
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay.
• One‑off payment: £250 for new starters to purchase home office equipment.

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 also a Disability Confident organisation, committed to fair and supportive recruitment practices to ensure everyone can thrive.

Flexibility

This role offers flexible, hybrid working with collaboration across our key sites in Warrington, Derby and Manchester. We also support flexible and part‑time working arrangements to enable a strong work‑life balance.