Senior Engineer - Reactor Pressure Vessel (Internals)

Location: Flexible (Derby, Warrington, Manchester – hybrid working) 

Our Mission 

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we’re delivering a new generation of low-carbon nuclear power. Our mission is to provide affordable, scalable clean energy solutions that support global decarbonisation. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to first-of-a-kind technology that will shape the future of energy. 

The Team 

You’ll join a specialist Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) Internals team within Component Mechanical Equipment, a close-knit group of engineers responsible for the structural components that support and retain the reactor core. Working at the heart of a complex, highly regulated programme, the team collaborates extensively with analysts, manufacturers, suppliers, and wider plant design functions to drive design maturity and enable key programme milestones. 

The Role 

As a Senior Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the design and delivery of RPV internals, influencing critical engineering decisions and supporting the progression of a first-of-a-kind nuclear programme. Acting as the bridge between leadership and the wider engineering team, you’ll combine hands-on technical delivery with mentorship, helping to guide design direction while ensuring robust, manufacturable solutions aligned to programme needs. 

What We’ll Need You to Do 

• Lead the development and refinement of component designs, ensuring solutions are technically robust, manufacturable, and aligned with programme milestones 

• Drive design maturity by producing and approving drawings and specifications that enable early supplier engagement and long-lead material procurement 

• Work closely with manufacturing partners and supply chain to embed design-for-manufacture principles and resolve emerging challenges 

• Provide technical leadership to engineers, acting as a mentor and escalation point while supporting team capability growth 

• Manage multiple work packages within an integrated programme, balancing technical delivery with schedule and cost considerations 

• Collaborate across disciplines to support plant integration, resolve design risks, and maintain alignment with regulatory and quality standards 

• Contribute to broader engineering strategy, supporting planning, prioritisation, and continuous improvement across the team 

What You’ll Bring 

• A degree in a relevant engineering discipline, with Chartered status achieved or in progress 

• Proven experience in component mechanical design, ideally within a complex or regulated industry such as nuclear, defence, or aerospace 

• Strong capability in producing and reviewing engineering drawings and specifications, with working knowledge of CAD tools (e.g. Siemens NX, Inventor) 

• Understanding of design-for-manufacture principles and experience collaborating with suppliers or manufacturing partners 

• Familiarity with industry standards (such as ASME or GD&T) and the engineering lifecycle from concept through to in-service support 

• Confidence in leading technical discussions, mentoring others, and influencing stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams 

• A proactive, adaptable approach with the ability to navigate ambiguity and solve complex engineering problems 

Location 

This role offers flexible and hybrid working, with regular collaboration expected across our Derby, Warrington, and Manchester offices, alongside engagement with suppliers and partners as required. 

What’s in it for you
We anticipate a salary of £50,650 - £66,500 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring.

We also offer excellent benefits including:

• Bonus - Performance related bonus of up to 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance - £2,200, 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