Rolls-Royce SMR
Expert – Core Performance
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Location: Hybrid (UK – Warrington, Derby or Manchester)
Our Mission
At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are pioneering the deployment of affordable, low-carbon nuclear power to support global energy security and net-zero ambitions. Our Small Modular Reactor programme is designed to deliver scalable, cost-effective clean energy solutions, helping governments and industries transition to a more sustainable future.
The Team
You will join the Reactor Core function within Engineering, working in the Core Performance discipline. This is a highly specialised area focused on reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and plant response analysis. As a senior technical expert, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across safety, control & instrumentation and design, while also engaging with external stakeholders including regulators. With major programme milestones ahead, including ongoing Generic Design Assessment activities and the Design Acceptance Review, your work will directly contribute to design maturity and programme success.
The Role
This is a senior technical authority position where you will lead and influence the development of reactor core performance capability across a first-of-a-kind SMR programme. You will drive advanced analysis and modelling activities, ensuring the reactor design meets stringent safety, operability and performance requirements. The role offers high visibility across the business, with opportunities to shape key decisions, support regulatory engagement and guide the evolution of analytical approaches and engineering standards.
What We’ll Need You to Do:
- Lead and deliver core performance analysis across reactor physics, kinetics and thermal hydraulics, ensuring outputs are robust, high quality and aligned to programme milestones.
- Act as a recognised technical authority, providing governance, assurance and expert judgement to solve complex engineering challenges within a regulated nuclear environment.
- Drive the development and enhancement of analytical methods, tools and computational models to continuously improve capability and maintain technical excellence.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure effective integration of core performance within the wider plant design.
- Support regulatory activities, including GDA, by providing clear, credible technical input and responding to regulator queries.
- Mentor and guide engineers across the function, building capability and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Bring:
- Significant experience in nuclear core physics, core design or core performance, with a strong track record in delivering complex engineering work within a regulated environment.
- Deep technical expertise across reactor performance disciplines, including thermal hydraulics, kinetics and core modelling, with an understanding of safety and operational constraints.
- Degree qualified in a relevant discipline (Physics, Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering), ideally with Chartered status or equivalent professional recognition.
- Experience in developing or applying advanced analytical methods and tools, alongside an understanding of regulatory expectations within the nuclear sector.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex technical information to a range of stakeholders including senior leaders and regulators.
- A collaborative and forward-thinking approach, with the credibility to lead technically while enabling high-performing teams.
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Location
This role offers flexible and hybrid working, with time spent across our key UK locations including Warrington, Derby or Manchester. We support flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional commitments.
What’s in it for you
We anticipate a salary of £71,000.00 - £93,200.00 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. We also offer excellent benefits including:
- Bonus - Performance related bonus of up to 17%
- Benefits Allowance - £5000, 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
Pay Range: £71,000.00 - £93,187.50
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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We are 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.
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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 be 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.
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 can thrive.
What we offer
At Rolls-Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands.
Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.
Your career journey
At Rolls-Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls-Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.
Our Team | Rolls-Royce SMR
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