Senior Manager – Core Design

Location:

Flexible (UK – with regular travel to Derby, Warrington and Manchester)

Our Mission

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are transforming the future of clean energy. Our small modular reactor technology will provide affordable, low-carbon power at scale, supporting global decarbonisation and energy security. We are building a world-class engineering capability to deliver one of the UK’s most ambitious programmes.

The Team

You will join our Nuclear Core Engineering function at a pivotal stage of growth. The Core Design team sits at the centre of reactor development, responsible for the integrated design of the reactor core and its performance. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of around 30 engineers and analysts, through a layer of experienced managers, within a wider core organisation of approximately 60 specialists. The team works closely with systems engineering, safety, and wider reactor design teams to deliver complex, high-integrity engineering solutions.

The Role

As Senior Manager – Core Design, you will lead the development and integration of reactor core design solutions, ensuring technical excellence, programme delivery, and regulatory compliance. Operating at the intersection of design, analysis, and systems engineering, you will shape how requirements are defined, evaluated, and realised across the reactor core. With accountability for both technical direction and programme governance, you will play a key role in influencing strategic decisions and ensuring delivery of a robust, licensable design.

What We’ll Need You to Do

• Lead large multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver core design and analysis programmes
• Define and drive integrated reactor core design solutions, including physics analysis and system-level optimisation
• Establish and manage design requirements, ensuring robust verification and validation
• Own technical governance, including review, validation, and approval of engineering outputs
• Develop and manage programme plans, milestones, and delivery schedules
• Oversee supply chain technical delivery, including external analysis contracts
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental requirements
• Chair technical and programme governance forums including risk and design reviews
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering methods and ways of working
• Build, develop and coach high-performing teams

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)
• Proven experience leading large engineering teams (10–30+ people)
• Strong background in nuclear design, reactor core design, physics analysis or similar
• Experience delivering complex engineering programmes in regulated environments
• Systems engineering awareness, including requirements management and integration
• Knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks and safety case development (ALARP, BAT)
• Experience managing external partners and technical delivery contracts
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder influencing skills
• Collaborative, proactive and delivery-focused mindset

Pay Range:

-

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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