Great British Energy - Nuclear
Principal Site Characterisation 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 2025. 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 were subsequently allocated the Wylfa EN-6 site, North Anglesey, for a First Of A Kind (FOAK) SMR deployment by the UK Government in November 2025. In tandem, GBE-N continue to characterize the Oldbury, non-allocated EN-6 site, South Gloucestershire.
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@gbnuclear.gov.uk and we will talk to you about how we can assist.
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Job Profile
Your role is pivotal in providing support to the Site Characterisation & External Hazards Lead, to ensure the selected site meets the geological, geophysical, hydrological and environmental criteria required for safe and efficient operation of the SMR project. You will be part of the SMR Project Client Technical Team, reporting to the Site Characterisation & External Hazards Lead.
You will form part of the establishment of a major programme. This will provide you with an opportunity to be part of a team that ensures successful delivery of a FOAK UK SMR Project. Whilst this is a fast-paced and exciting challenge, you will need to be comfortable with uncertainty, ambiguity and change.
Responsibilities
- Provide support to the Site Characterisation & External Hazard Lead in delivering the following tasks:
- Oversee and coordinate comprehensive site investigations and assessments to obtain necessary data to support initial site selection through to Nuclear Site License Application and information required to support detailed design development.
- Gather and analyse site-specific data to inform design decisions and support licensing applications, and coordinate with relevant teams to ensure this data is shared as required. This includes using advanced modelling and simulation tools to predict site behaviour under various scenarios.
- Collaborate with other technical teams, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to ensure that all site-related issues are addressed and that there is a clear understanding of the site’s characteristics and potential hazards.
- Implement ongoing monitoring programs to track site conditions and ensure that any changes are promptly identified and addressed.
- Collating and distributing site data to support the analysis of potential hazards, such as flooding and extreme weather events, that could impact the safety and operation of the reactor.
- Coordinating the collection of data to ensure that site assessments and hazard evaluations comply with national and international regulatory requirements.
- Provide, manage and provide oversight for site characterisation and external hazard technical work scopes for GBE-N’s Foundation Engineer supplier and Owner’s Engineer (Intelligent Client support).
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Knowledge, Skills and Experience required
- Experience in site characterisation, geotechnical, or environmental investigations, for high-value and complex projects/programmes.
- Understanding of geological and hydrological principles to assess site suitability and potential hazards.
- Understanding of environmental impact assessments and sustainability practices.
- Proficiency and experience in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks associated with site hazards.
- Familiarity with advanced modelling and simulation tools used for site characterization and hazard analysis systems.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to foster a collaborative and supportive environment, whilst developing team members’ skills and capabilities.
- Experience working within a startup or similar innovative environment, showcasing adaptability and comfort with uncertainty.
- Familiarity of UK nuclear regulations, safety standards, and licensing processes is ideal.
Qualifications
- Chartered Engineer with extensive experience within the UK infrastructure or nuclear sector.
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