Senior Reactor System Design Engineer - Emergency Core Cooling

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus – up to 12.5%

Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum

Pension – 12% employer / 6% employee

Holidays – 29 days (+ holidays)

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited is seeking an experienced engineer to lead the development of the Emergency Core Cooling (ECC) system within a reactor safety framework. You will own safety-significant components, coordinate with safety analysis, licensing, and design teams to ensure robust integration with programme objectives.

You will collaborate across disciplines, define system requirements, and produce substantiation and engineering documentation while guiding junior engineers and managing

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or a scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering complex engineering systems in regulated industry (nuclear/defence/aerospace/energy).
• Strong understanding of systems engineering and design development.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and integration of the ECC system through detailed design.
• Define system requirements and operating philosophies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to manage interfaces and resolve technical challenges.
• Produce and review high-quality engineering documentation and substantiation.
• Support safety case and regulatory activities within your area of responsibility.
• Manage technical risks and deliver against programme milestones.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching to other engineers.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Proactive collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are developing a new generation of nuclear power technology to deliver secure, affordable and low‑carbon energy. It is an ambitious programme with the potential to transform how clean energy is deployed in the UK and beyond.

The Team

You will join our Reactor Plant Systems team, a multidisciplinary engineering group responsible for developing the systems at the heart of the reactor. Working alongside specialists in safety, licensing, operations and plant integration, you will help mature a design that meets the highest standards of safety and performance.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced engineer to take a leading role in the development of the Emergency Core Cooling (ECC) system, a fundamental reactor safety function. This is an opportunity to own a safety‑significant system, influence key design decisions and work at the interface of engineering design, safety analysis and licensing. You will collaborate with a wide range of disciplines to ensure the design is robust, integrated and aligned with programme objectives, while helping to solve some of the most complex engineering challenges in the SMR industry.

What We’ll Need You to Do

• Lead the development and integration of the ECC system through detailed design.
• Define system requirements, operating philosophies and design solutions.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to manage interfaces and resolve technical challenges.
• Produce and review high-quality engineering documentation and substantiation.
• Support safety case and regulatory activities within your area of responsibility.
• Manage technical risks and opportunities while ensuring delivery against programme milestones.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and guidance to other engineers.

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering complex engineering systems within a regulated industry such as nuclear, defence, aerospace, energy or process engineering.
• A strong understanding of systems engineering, requirements management and design development.
• Knowledge of process, mechanical or fluid systems design.
• The ability to communicate complex technical concepts and build strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with a passion for solving challenging engineering problems.

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 with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and the role may develop further as the programme grows.

Benefits

• 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 – 29 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

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.

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR

A career with Rolls‑RoyceSMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Rolls‑RoyceSMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls‑RoyceSMR 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‑RoyceSMRs 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‑RoyceSMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

Our Culture

At Rolls‑RoyceSMR, 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.

What We Offer

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‑RoyceSMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you 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‑RoyceSMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.