Rolls-Royce SMR
Head of Thermal Hydraulic & Fault Analysis
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Head of Thermal Hydraulic & Fault Analysis
About the Team
The Performance & Analysis team is the centre of excellence within Rolls-Royce SMR for the engineering analysis used to substantiate the performance and safety of the power station.
The Thermal Hydraulic & Fault Analysis function is responsible for developing and delivering the analysis methods, tools, and evidence that underpin reactor and plant safety. The team provides technical leadership across reactor fault analysis, thermal hydraulic safety assessments, CFD modelling, thermofluid analysis, and analysis code validation, supporting both the Generic Design Assessment and future customer programmes.
About the Role
As Head of Thermal Hydraulic & Fault Analysis, you will provide strategic, technical, programme, and functional leadership for all thermal hydraulic analysis activities across the power station.
You will be accountable for the development of analysis methodologies, delivery of reactor and system thermal hydraulic assessments, CFD analysis capability, thermofluid engineering support, and code validation programmes. This includes oversight of analysis methods, verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification activities, ensuring the organisation can deliver robust and high-quality technical outputs that support design decisions, safety cases, and regulatory engagement.
You will lead a function of approximately 60 engineers, including recognised experts and specialists, while maintaining accountability for the quality, capability, and performance of the discipline. The role requires extensive engagement with regulators, customers, industry bodies, and senior stakeholders to ensure successful programme delivery and strategic growth of the capability.
We’ll Need You To
- Lead all Thermal Hydraulic & Fault Analysis activities across the SMR programme
- Define and implement the long-term technical strategy for the discipline
- Act as the recognised company authority in thermal hydraulics and reactor fault analysis
- Lead development of thermal hydraulic methodologies, tools, and governance arrangements
- Oversee delivery of:
- Reactor transient and fault analysis
- Thermal hydraulic system analysis
- CFD analysis
- Thermofluid engineering support
- Code validation programmes
- Define requirements for analysis tool development and capability enhancement
- Lead integration of thermal hydraulic evidence into the E3S and safety cases
- Ensure delivery of technical outputs to required quality, schedule, and programme milestones
- Chair technical reviews and governance forums
- Provide strategic prioritisation across competing analysis demands and customer programmes
- Lead and develop a large multidisciplinary function comprising engineers, specialists, and expert roles
- Support regulatory engagement, customer interactions, and external technical forums
- Act as deputy to the Head of Power Station Performance & Analysis Capability when required
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Key Skills Required
Functional and Technical Expertise
- Recognised technical authority in thermal hydraulics, reactor fault analysis, and nuclear safety analysis
- Deep understanding of PWR thermal hydraulic behaviour and analysis methodologies
- Ability to define technical standards, strategy, and future direction for the discipline
- Experience leading specialist and expert teams delivering complex analysis programmes
- Strong understanding of verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification approaches
Organisational Leadership
- Experience leading large engineering functions through managers, specialists, and technical leaders
- Proven capability in recruitment, capability development, and succession planning
- Strong mentoring, coaching, and people leadership skills
- Ability to build a high-performance culture focused on technical excellence and efficient delivery
Programme Delivery & Technical Governance
- Proven track record of leading large and complex thermal hydraulic analysis programmes
- Experience managing technical delivery across multiple projects and stakeholders
- Experience specifying and managing external analysis contracts and supply chain activities
- Strong governance experience within safety-critical industries
- Experience approving and assuring technical outputs and engineering decisions
Nuclear Safety & Licensing
- Strong understanding of UK nuclear regulatory expectations and licensing frameworks
- Experience supporting or leading regulatory engagement activities
- Strong understanding of nuclear safety principles and defence-in-depth
- Experience developing technical evidence to support nuclear safety cases
- Knowledge of international regulatory expectations and customer requirements desirable
Capability Development
- Experience developing engineering capability across people, processes, and toolsets
- Proven ability to implement best practice methods and improved ways of working
- Experience driving efficiency, consistency, and technical excellence across engineering organisations
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Qualifications
- Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
- Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional registration)
- Proven senior leadership experience within nuclear engineering or another highly regulated industry
- Extensive experience leading large, technically complex engineering programmes
Location
Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site:
- Derby
- Manchester
- Warrington
Salary and Package
The salary band for this role will be between £85,600 - £112,350, dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility in exceptional cases, reflecting the scale and strategic importance of the role.
Benefits include:
- Bonus – Performance-related target opportunity up to 20%
- Benefits Allowance – £8,500 per annum for a bespoke package
- Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
- Holidays – 29 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days
- Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
- Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
- Home Office Support – £250 one-off payment for new starters
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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