Senior Engineer – Materials

Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington or Hybrid 

Our Mission 

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are delivering a new era of clean, affordable nuclear energy. Our mission is to provide scalable low-carbon power that strengthens energy security and supports the global transition to net zero. By combining proven nuclear technology with innovative engineering and advanced manufacturing, we are creating a product with the potential to transform the future of electricity generation. 

The Team 

As part of the Nuclear Engineering & E3S Analysis function, you will join the Materials and Chemistry team, a highly influential discipline that supports the full lifecycle of the Rolls-Royce SMR power plant. Working across design, manufacturing, operations and regulatory activities, the team provides specialist materials expertise that underpins safety, performance and long-term plant integrity. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, external partners, suppliers and industry bodies, playing a key role in solving complex challenges within a highly regulated environment. 

The Role 

We are looking for a Senior Engineer - Materials to help shape the future of the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. This is an opportunity to apply your materials expertise to some of the most challenging engineering problems in the nuclear sector, supporting everything from materials selection and manufacturing assurance to ageing management and analytical assessments. You will take ownership of key technical deliverables, provide guidance to engineers across the team and contribute to critical programme decisions that support design maturity, safety justification and regulatory compliance. Whether your experience lies in materials analysis, manufacturing and welding, ageing management or materials data and qualification, you will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the successful delivery of the UK’s next generation nuclear power plant. 

What We'll Need You to Do 

• Lead the development and delivery of materials engineering activities, ensuring outputs are technically robust, compliant and aligned with programme milestones. 

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support plant integration, resolve materials-related challenges and influence key design decisions. 

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers across the team, helping to develop capability and maintain high engineering standards. 

• Work closely with suppliers, industry bodies and external partners to embed best practice, strengthen technical assurance and address emerging issues. 

• Manage multiple work packages simultaneously, balancing technical quality with programme, cost and schedule requirements. 

• Support regulatory engagements by producing clear, well-substantiated technical evidence and responding to materials-related queries. 

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Materials and Chemistry capability by driving continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and strategic planning activities. 

What You'll Bring 

• A degree, or equivalent qualification, in Materials Engineering, Metallurgy or a related engineering discipline, with Chartered status or progress towards professional registration. 

• Strong experience in materials systems, materials behaviour, manufacturing and fabrication processes, and through-life performance considerations. 

• The ability to develop, review and justify technical requirements, specifications and engineering documentation to a high standard. 

• Experience gained within the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry, with an understanding of safety, quality and compliance requirements. 

• Knowledge of materials manufacturing, welding technologies, materials degradation mechanisms and their application within complex engineering systems. 

• Familiarity with industry standards such as ASME and an appreciation of the engineering lifecycle from concept design through to operational support. 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence, mentor and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. 

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we know that great candidates do not always meet every requirement. If you are excited by this opportunity and believe you can make a meaningful contribution, we would love to hear from you, even if your experience does not align perfectly with every aspect of the role. 

Location 

This role can be based in Derby, Manchester or Warrington, with hybrid and flexible working arrangements available. Regular collaboration with colleagues across our UK sites will be required, giving you the opportunity to work closely with some of the industry’s leading engineering specialists while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

Location & Working Pattern

We offer a flexible hybrid working model. This role can be based in Derby, Warrington or Manchester, with the frequency of office attendance agreed during the recruitment process based on individual and business needs.  

Pay and Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £50,650 - £66,500 plus:- 

• Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 12.5%  
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package   
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions. 
• Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.   
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care   
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay  
• £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases  

You’ll be joining a rapidly growing organisation at a critical stage of its development, offering excellent opportunities for learning, professional development, and long-term career progression within a purpose-driven and innovative environment.

Pay Range:

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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.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

•    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
 

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