Engineer – Core Design and Performance
We are Rolls‑Royce SMR, a pioneering leader in small modular reactors. The Core Design team ensures the SMR reactor core operates within safety limits while delivering optimal performance and economic efficiency.
About the role
As an Engineer – Core Design and Performance you will develop, analyze, and assess SMR reactor core performance. You will support and enhance neutronic and thermal‑hydraulic models, contribute to safety justification and performance optimisation, and develop core analysis methods and tools.
Responsibilities
- Support development and refinement of neutronic and/or thermal‑hydraulic core models.
- Deliver technical analysis across core physics, kinetics and thermal‑hydraulics disciplines.
- Contribute to assessment of steady‑state and transient core performance.
- Support evaluation of core‑related fault sequences and plant behaviour.
- Assist in development, optimisation and application of analysis methodologies and tools.
- Support data evaluation, integration and optimisation of analysis workflows.
- Contribute to verification, validation and uncertainty quantification activities.
- Produce technical inputs to support safety, environmental and economic performance assessments.
- Support delivery of work packages in line with programme plans and governance processes.
- Communicate progress, risks and technical outputs effectively.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Key skills required
- Academic or early career experience in reactor physics, thermal hydraulics or nuclear engineering.
- Understanding of pressurised water reactor (PWR) systems (or transferable experience from similar reactor technologies).
- Awareness of nuclear safety principles and regulatory expectations, including E3S concepts (ALARP, BAT).
- Experience with core design analysis tools (e.g. CASMO, SIMULATE, VIPRE, CTF).
- Experience or interest in developing analysis tools or scripts (e.g. Python).
- Understanding of engineering analysis methods and data handling.
- Awareness of software development or quality assurance processes (desirable).
- Ability to plan and deliver technical tasks within agreed timescales.
- Strong problem‑solving, analytical and organisational skills.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate across disciplines.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline.
- Typically 2+ years’ experience in reactor physics and/or thermal‑hydraulics analysis.
- Experience in analysis scripting or data processing tools (e.g. Python) desirable.
Location
Hybrid working with primary site at Derby, Manchester or Warrington.
Salary and benefits
Salary band: £44,550 – £58,450, based on skills and experience.
Benefits include:
- Performance‑related bonus up to 12.5%.
- Benefits allowance £2,200 per annum.
- Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
- 28 days holiday plus public holidays; option 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.
Equal Opportunity
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Closing date: 7th June 2026.
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