Systems Engineer - Core Design

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited in the UK is seeking a Systems Design Engineer to support reactor core design development using a systems engineering approach. You will define requirements, manage interfaces and develop the engineering evidence needed for design maturity and regulatory expectations.

The role offers exposure to complex challenges in a highly regulated environment and the chance to influence the future of clean energy.

Qualifications

• A degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, with experience contributing to complex engineering or system design projects.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, interface management and design substantiation.
• Experience within nuclear, defence, aerospace, energy or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• A proactive and collaborative approach with the passion for solving complex engineering challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver reactor core design solutions, ensuring requirements, interfaces and design outputs are aligned with programme objectives.
• Produce and review high-quality engineering documentation, including requirements, design descriptions and substantiation reports.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to resolve technical challenges and achieve integrated design solutions.
• Support verification, validation and technical review activities to ensure compliance with standards, governance and regulatory expectations.
• Identify and manage technical risks and opportunities, driving continuous improvement throughout the design lifecycle.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Stakeholder management

Regulated industries experience

Communication skills

Education

Engineering or science degree

Job description

Location

Warrington, Derby or Manchester (Hybrid)

Our Mission

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are delivering a new generation of low-carbon nuclear power that will help meet growing energy demands while supporting a cleaner future. Our Small Modular Reactor technology combines decades of engineering expertise with innovative manufacturing approaches to create safe, reliable and affordable clean energy solutions. Joining us means contributing to one of the UK's most significant engineering programmes and helping shape the future of energy.

The Team

You will join the Core Systems team within Engineering, working alongside specialists from reactor design, safety, systems integration, performance analysis and control & instrumentation. The team plays a key role in developing and maturing the reactor core design, ensuring it meets performance, safety and regulatory requirements while progressing critical programme milestones.

The Role

As a Systems Design Engineer, you will support the development of reactor core design solutions using a systems engineering approach. You will define requirements, manage interfaces and develop the engineering evidence needed to support design maturity and regulatory expectations. This role offers exposure to complex engineering challenges within a highly regulated environment and the opportunity to influence the future of clean energy.

What We’ll Need You to Do

• Develop and deliver reactor core design solutions, ensuring requirements, interfaces and design outputs are aligned with programme objectives.
• Produce and review high-quality engineering documentation, including requirements, design descriptions and substantiation reports.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to resolve technical challenges and achieve integrated design solutions.
• Support verification, validation and technical review activities to ensure compliance with standards, governance and regulatory expectations.
• Identify and manage technical risks and opportunities, driving continuous improvement throughout the design lifecycle.

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, with experience contributing to complex engineering or system design projects.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, interface management and design substantiation.
• Experience within nuclear, defence, aerospace, energy or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• A proactive and collaborative approach with the passion for solving complex engineering challenges.

Location

This role can be based in Warrington, Derby or Manchester, with hybrid and flexible working arrangements available.

Pay Range

£42,000.00 - £55,125.00

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.

Equal Opportunities

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.

Application Process

• 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

About Rolls‑Royce SMR

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

Our Culture

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, 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 become more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge. Rolls‑Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.