Great British Energy - Nuclear
Principal Civil Engineer
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Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N)
Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) is a new government arm’s length body supporting the delivery of Britain’s energy security and net zero, making sure that we can power Britain from Britain sustainably. It has been set up to turn nuclear ambition into reality.
GBE-N’s first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in July. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory-based modular manufacturing, and more flexible deployment options.
GBE-N is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace. It draws on deep nuclear expertise – its Executive Committee has over 100 years of nuclear experience in this country and abroad. And it can unlock billions of pounds of private and public investment from design to operation, helping to get sites ready for development, and working to grow manufacturing capacity and skills capability.
Our activities will be driven by our values, which are:
- Trust - We prioritise safety, we act responsibly and with integrity.
- Collaborative - We work as a team; we value diversity and expertise.
- Challenge - We are curious and courageous in the way we think and act.
- Care - We are thoughtful, inclusive and respectful of others.
- Drive - We get things done and we make a difference.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at recruitment@greatbritishnuclear.uk and we will talk to you about how we can assist.
Job Profile
The Principal Civil Engineer will support the planning, coordination, and delivery of the off-site Associated Development (AD) infrastructure required for the SMR Project. You will be part of the SMR Project Client Technical Team, reporting to the Associated Development Lead, and will work within a multi-disciplinary environment during a fast-paced and evolving programme.
Your role will be central to shaping the civil engineering aspects of the AD scope, including site assessment, early design development, regulatory alignment, and defining client requirements. You will act as the technical owner of civil engineering specifications for the AD works, oversee deliverables, assess change, and ensure design intent is maintained.
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You will also provide a key interface between the Client, the Technology Provider, Foundation Engineering Partner, and the Owner’s Engineer, ensuring that scope, requirements, and deliverables for all AD facilities are clearly defined and consistently communicated.
Responsibilities
- Define and develop the civil engineering requirements for all Associated Development (AD) facilities, ensuring alignment with project objectives, regulatory needs, and client specifications.
- Lead and coordinate early site assessment activities, including geotechnical, hydrological, environmental, and access-related considerations to inform concept and outline design.
- Oversee development of civil layouts and infrastructure concepts for AD facilities such as the Park & Ride, Logistics Centre/Lorry Park, Workers’ Accommodation Campus, fabrication centre, Marine Offloading Facility (MOLF), and Transfer Node Facility.
- Maintain ownership of civil engineering inputs to AD scope, requirements, interfaces, and design changes, ensuring design intent is preserved and deviations are managed through due process.
- Provide technical oversight and assurance of deliverables prepared by Foundation Engineer, the Technology Provider, and the Owner’s Engineer, ensuring compliance with standards, regulations, and GBE-N requirements.
- Coordinate with planning, environmental, regulatory and consenting teams to support submissions, assessments, and approvals relevant to AD civil works.
- Engage with local authorities, transport bodies, and other stakeholders to confirm interfaces, constraints, and technical dependencies.
- Contribute to risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and schedule and cost inputs related to civil elements of the AD programme.
- Support the development of digital models (e.g., BIM) and maintain clear records of engineering decisions, assumptions, and design evolution for AD facilities.
- Provide expert civil engineering advice to resolve technical issues, manage interfaces with other engineering disciplines, and support integration of AD works with the main site programme.
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Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:
- Experience in civil engineering within large, multidisciplinary infrastructure projects, ideally in the nuclear, energy, or other highly regulated sectors.
- Strong understanding of civil engineering principles across geotechnical, structural, environmental, drainage, utilities, and site development disciplines.
- Demonstrable experience supporting early stage site assessment, planning, consenting, and regulatory processes.
- Proven ability to manage technical interfaces, assess change, and maintain requirements and design intent across complex project scopes.
- Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders, including regulators, local authorities, consultants, and contractors.
- Experience contributing to design assurance, safety compliance, and quality processes on complex infrastructure programmes.
- Proficiency in civil engineering design tools and digital modelling environments (e.g., BIM) is advantageous.
- Strong problem-solving abilities with a focus on identifying risks, developing mitigation strategies, and resolving technical issues.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment, demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and comfort with uncertainty and emergent requirements.
- Experience working collaboratively within multiparty project teams, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a proactive approach to delivery.
- Familiarity with UK planning frameworks, environmental requirements, and nuclear regulatory expectations is advantageous.
Qualifications
- Degree in Civil Engineering, with strong and proven civil engineering design delivery experience on major projects.
- Chartered status (CEng, MICE, CIEI, or equivalent) is desirable but not essential and may be substituted by significant relevant experience.
- Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM PMQ) is advantageous.
- Valid UK driving licence (for site visits and stakeholder meetings).
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