Rolls - Royce SMR
Senior Engineer - Plant Performance
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We are Rolls-Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.
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 team is responsible for developing the analytical methods, models and tools that underpin design decisions across the SMR programme. Through detailed performance, thermal hydraulic and engineering analysis, the team provides the technical evidence required to support plant design, optimisation and safety substantiation.
The successful candidate will join a growing team of specialists who work across the entire power station, developing a whole-plant understanding of how complex systems interact to deliver safe, reliable and efficient nuclear power generation.
About the Role:
As a Senior Plant Performance Engineer, you will lead the work of a sub-team developing a standard suite of transient analyses reflecting both the duty and abnormal operation of all areas of our SMR.
These analyses will be re-run at intervals as the design progresses to track figures of merit, improve confidence in design performance and inform both system design and structural assessments.
Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will ensure analysis activities are prioritised, delivered and governed effectively, providing timely insights that support design decisions, substantiation and optimisation. Through the interpretation of analysis results, you will advise design teams on improvements and opportunities that can be implemented as the programme develops.
This is a unique opportunity to develop and apply a whole-plant perspective, understanding how complex systems interact to deliver safe, reliable and efficient operation of a nuclear power station.
We’ll Need You To:
- Analyse the performance of the nuclear power station across the complete energy conversion system, including reactor heat generation, steam cycle conversion, cooling water provision and electrical power generation
- Deliver plant performance assessments aligned with key design iterations across the engineering function
- Validate plant performance assumptions and provide functional data to support subsequent design activities
- Support the development and substantiation of plant systems through high-quality analysis
- Interpret analytical results and provide recommendations to improve plant performance and optimise design solutions
- Contribute to the development, validation and continuous improvement of analysis methods, tools and processes
- Support code verification, model validation and quality assurance activities
- Coordinate the work of engineers within your technical area and support delivery against agreed programmes of work
- Communicate analysis outputs clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders across the business
- Establish yourself as a technical point of contact for plant performance analysis activities
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Key Skills Required:
We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:
Performance Analysis:
- Experience applying a structured and methodical approach to engineering performance analysis
- Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and thermal processes
- Experience using industry-standard fluids and thermal analysis software
- Experience developing and applying benchmark analysis cases and performance indicators
- Experience with thermal hydraulics tools such as RELAP, FLOMASTER or similar would be highly beneficial
Development of Analysis Methods, Models & Tools:
- Experience developing analysis methods and models to support the robust design of complex energy systems
- Experience developing probabilistic analysis methods and tools
- Understanding of software development processes and quality assurance arrangements
- Experience of interdisciplinary model integration would be advantageous
Quality Assurance of Analysis Codes & Methods:
- Experience verifying analytical models and software through benchmarking, testing and quality processes
- Experience validating analytical models against experimental data
- Understanding of uncertainty quantification and statistical analysis techniques
Relevant Domain Knowledge:
- Experience within Nuclear, Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Aerospace or other safety-critical industries
- Understanding of complex fluid, process or thermal systems
- Knowledge of Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) would be beneficial
- Understanding of engineering safety principles, including ALARP and wider safety substantiation methodologies
Project Management & Leadership:
- Experience delivering analysis programmes to time, cost and quality requirements
- Ability to lead technical workstreams and support less experienced engineers
- Strong technical communication and report writing skills
- Ability to explain complex analysis outputs clearly and effectively
- Flexibility and adaptability within evolving design programmes
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
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Qualifications:
- Degree-qualified in Engineering or a related discipline such as Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science
- Chartered Engineer, working towards Chartership, or equivalent professional registration
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 £50,650 – £66,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility in exceptional cases.
Benefits include:
- Bonus – Performance-related target opportunity up to 12.5%
- Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
- Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
- Holidays – 28 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
Selection Process:
The closing date for this role is 9th September 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.
Pay Range:
£50,600.00 - £66,465.00
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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