Senior Engineer - CFD & Thermofluids

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 for engineering analysis that substantiates the performance and safety of the SMR power station. Within this team, the CFD & Thermo‑fluids group delivers thermal‑hydraulic analysis supporting both detailed component assessment and whole‑system design across the power station.

This work applies the fundamentals of fluid flow and heat transfer to complex engineering challenges using a combination of 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), 1D systems modelling and analytical techniques.

As a Senior Engineer – CFD & Thermo‑fluids, you will lead the technical and programme delivery of thermal‑hydraulic analysis work packages across the SMR programme. You will act as both a technical author and reviewer, ensuring analysis outputs are technically robust, proportionate and aligned with programme governance and quality requirements.

You will work closely with design, performance and safety teams to define analysis requirements and scope appropriate levels of analysis to substantiate them. Analysis may follow established RR‑SMR methodologies or require development of new methods, applying Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) techniques to demonstrate adequacy.

You will contribute to method development, benchmarking activities and collaboration with verification engineers and the in‑house test capability team, supporting validation of analysis tools against experimental data and test‑rig results. Given the safety‑critical nature of the work, you will place strong emphasis on quality management, automation and reproducibility of analysis.

Senior Engineers may also provide technical supervision, coaching and mentoring of junior engineers and oversee analysis delivered by supply‑chain partners.

• Lead and deliver high‑quality CFD and thermo‑fluid analysis across plant and system design
• Apply advanced 2D/3D CFD methods to assess internal flows, pressure drops, heat transfer and transient behaviour
• Use 1D fluid‑systems modelling to support system performance, sizing and operating philosophy
• Define, plan and review analysis work packages, ensuring proportionate and robust delivery
• Develop and apply new analysis methods, including VVUQ techniques
• Support validation and benchmarking of analysis tools using experimental and test‑rig data
• Generate clear, well‑documented analysis outputs and technical reports
• Develop and maintain automated analysis workflows, including pre‑ and post‑processing scripts
• Apply rigorous quality‑management and governance processes
• Provide technical oversight, coaching and review to support team capability development
• Communicate complex analysis clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders

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:

• Strong understanding of applied fluid mechanics and heat‑transfer principles
• Demonstrated experience leading complex CFD analysis using tools such as ANSYS Fluent, CFX or Star‑CCM+
• Experience with pre‑ and post‑processing tools (e.g. SpaceClaim, MATLAB, Python)
• Experience with 1D system analysis tools such as Siemens Flomaster
• Experience developing or reviewing thermal‑hydraulic analysis methods
• Strong understanding of analysis QA, verification, validation and uncertainty quantification
• Experience scoping analysis to support design or safety‑case requirements
• Ability to plan and deliver analysis programmes, managing milestones, risks and interfaces
• Strong technical communication and report‑writing skills
• Knowledge of nuclear or other high‑integrity industries (beneficial but not essential)
• Degree‑qualified to Master’s level (or equivalent) in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent), or working towards chartership

We welcome applicants from nuclear and non‑nuclear backgrounds, including aerospace, energy, defence, oil & gas and research environments.

Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site:
Derby, Manchester or Warrington

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 with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and the role may develop further as the organisation grows.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity 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 ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

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, and a culture that values collaboration, diversity and continuous learning.

The closing date for this role is 20th July 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.

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