Supply Chain Development Engineer

Rolls-Royce plc; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

Group Income Protection

Group Life Assurance

Digital GP

Employee Assistance (EAP) and LiveWell

Job summary

Rolls-Royce plc is seeking a Supply Chain Development Engineer to Bristol on a hybrid pattern (3 days onsite). The role focuses on developing a robust, resilient supply chain to support Defence Future Programmes (DFP) and ensure suppliers meet Rolls-Royce standards including security and readiness requirements.

You will design strategies, onboard suppliers, assess readiness for MVP and production, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain in collaboration with UK and international

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Experience in supply chain development or procurement in an engineering/manufacturing environment, ideally in defence/aerospace.
• Knowledge of supplier assessment, capability development, and certification standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Understanding of cyber and physical security requirements for defence programmes.
• Experience managing supply chains for complex, security-sensitive programmes.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and refine strategies to create a robust, resilient, and high-performing supply chain supporting DFP.
• Identify, evaluate, on-board, and develop suppliers to meet programme requirements regarding quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.
• Ensure all suppliers comply with cyber and physical security requirements, in line with DFP standards.
• Assess and support supplier readiness for MVP, Demonstrator, and production phases, ensuring alignment with programme timelines.
• Oversee or conduct supplier certification, including capability and process assessments, to Rolls-Royce and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensuring continuity and resilience through contingency planning and supplier development.
• Drive improvement initiatives, monitor supplier performance, and deliver measurable enhancements over current in-service levels.
• Work closely with procurement, engineering, quality, and programme teams, as well as UK and international partners, to align supply chain activities with overall programme objectives.
• Participate in internal skills development and recruitment, ensuring access to the necessary expertise and supplier approvals.
• Provide regular progress updates, risk reports, and supply chain readiness assessments to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, supply chain management, business or equivalent

Job description

Supply Chain Development Engineer

Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days onsite)

Working location: Bristol

An exciting opportunity for a Supply chain Development Engineer to join the team in Bristol

The Supply Chain Development Engineer is responsible for developing, strengthening, and maintaining a robust and resilient supply chain to support Defence Future Programmes (DFP). The role ensures suppliers meet Rolls-Royce standards and project-specific security, quality, and readiness requirements, and drives ongoing improvement in supply chain performance.

Why join Rolls-Royce?

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture

What you will be doing:

• Design, implement, and refine strategies to create a robust, resilient, and high-performing supply chain supporting DFP.
• Identify, evaluate, on-board, and develop suppliers to ensure they meet programme requirements regarding quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.
• Ensure all suppliers comply with cyber and physical security requirements, in line with DFP standards.
• Assess and support supplier readiness for Minimal Viable Product (MVP), Demonstrator, and production phases, ensuring alignment with programme timelines.
• Oversee or conduct supplier certification, including capability and process assessments, to Rolls-Royce and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensuring continuity and resilience through contingency planning and supplier development.
• Drive improvement initiatives, monitor supplier performance, and deliver measurable enhancements over current in-service levels.
• Work closely with procurement, engineering, quality, and programme teams, as well as UK and international partners, to align supply chain activities with overall programme objectives.
• Participate in internal skills development and recruitment, ensuring access to the necessary expertise and supplier approvals.
• Provide regular progress updates, risk reports, and supply chain readiness assessments to senior stakeholders.

Who we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in supply chain development or procurement in an engineering or manufacturing environment, ideally within the defence or aerospace sector.
• Knowledge of supplier assessment, capability development, and certification standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Understanding of cyber and physical security requirements for defence programmes.
• Experience managing supply chains for complex, security-sensitive programmes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work and build partnerships across functional and international boundaries.
• Role requires occasional travel to supplier sites, both in the UK and internationally.

Regional Benefits:

• Generous Annual Leave
• Group Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce
• Digital GP provides a convenient way for you to access GP consultations
• Employee Assistance (EAP) and Live Well programmes

To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines, an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place.

Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Closing date: 07/09/2026

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.