Team Lead - Nuclear Reactor Systems Engineer

Team Lead – Nuclear Reactor Systems Engineering (Verification & Validation)

Make a difference with a world class company

As part of the rapid growth of Rolls–Royce SMR Ltd, an exciting opportunity has arisen for talented engineers to join its Development Engineering organisation to drive the design Verification and Validation programme.

The Team Lead role provides a unique opportunity to lead a high–performing team of engineers working on the development of a new nuclear power station design that will contribute to the global reduction of carbon emissions. The role could be based out of Rolls–Royce SMR's Derby or Warrington offices, with opportunities for hybrid working.

About Rolls–Royce SMR:

Rolls–Royce SMR is a new business, specifically created to design, construct and deliver a new fleet of Small Modular Reactor power plants that will play a key role on the race to Net Zero, as well as providing energy security. Created through Rolls–Royce's passion for engineering excellence, this is an exciting new business which expects to become a leading player in the future of energy.

Rolls–Royce SMR has a start–up mentality, with a high performing team that drives for efficiency and innovation in everything they do – and will provide a rewarding career for those who want to be bold and create a legacy.

About the Role:

You will be leading a team of Engineers to Verify and & Validate the SMR power station's Reactor Island design. This scope includes the nuclear reactor systems & components, as well as supporting systems providing fuel and mechanical handling capabilities, waste treatment etc.

The Verification & Validation approach used is based on Systems Engineering principles, which have been proven worldwide as a key tool to delivering highly complex products. Using these principles, your team will work with design specialists to develop verification strategies that define the activities needed to show the design meets its requirements. The team will also be involved in work to validate the requirements set.

With the strategy defined, the team will take a lead role in running test programme, and will be directly accountable for delivering the full lifecycle of some of the tests required – working with world–leading testing or research laboratories to do so.

As the team lead you will provide people, project and technical leadership on all of the above activities. The role therefore provides a rare and exciting opportunity to experience the breadth of engineering challenges involved in delivering the reactor island design for a new nuclear power station.

About You:

You will have:

• A degree–level qualification in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Become professionally recognised through a professional body.
• Experience in some of the key engineering disciplines for Reactor Island (eg. nuclear reactor systems, thermal–hydraulics, materials & chemistry).
• Experience in the design verification lifecycle, such as defining a verification strategy or executing typical verification activities such as tests or analyses.
• Experience in leading a small team, and managing the delivery of technical work packages
• A Systems Thinking mind–set, and experience of using Systems Engineering principles to solve complex problems
• A proactive, positive attitude, with the desire and ability to learn fast, challenge the status–quo and to make a difference.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills – able to distil complex technical information into simpler, more digestible forms
• Experience of working with regulatory bodies such as the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environment Agency (EA) – although this is desirable rather than essential.

Key Responsibilities of the Role will be:

• People leadership: Developing a highly–capable Reactor Island Verification team through a combination of recruitment & subcontract, and then development/coaching of the team members.
• Project leadership: Planning and coordinating the work of the team members to ensure that the team delivers against its commitments.
• Technical leadership: Ensuring that all verification and validation activities – from strategy development to rig test execution – are conducted to the exacting standards expected of the nuclear industry.
• Driving the team to continuously challenge and improve ways of working.

• Representing the Plant Verification Manager at technical and programme reviews both internally and externally – including with our regulators.

Benefits and Work Conditions:

• A highly competitive salary is on offer along with a performance related bonus.
• A range of flexible benefits are available to choose from, enabling you to create a bespoke package to suit your needs.
• Travel: the location of work can be either Derby or Warrington.
• Flexible working / hybrid and remote working patterns are available with agreement.
• Working hours are 37.5 hrs per week with some additional hours as and when required.
• Rolls–Royce SMR are an equal opportunities employer.

For further information on this opportunity, please contact Molly Brown on or email Alternatively, please apply directly using the "Apply" option below.