Band 3 Mechanical Engineering Inspector

Job Purpose

As the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, our mission is to ensure safe nuclear for a secure and sustainable future. ONR is changing with the sector: nuclear is set to play a central role in economic growth, energy security, national defence, decommissioning and the development of new technologies. Our role is to enable innovation and growth through proportionate, enabling regulation, while maintaining public confidence that the highest standards of nuclear safety, civil nuclear security, safeguards, and conventional health and safety are met across nuclear facilities in Great Britain.

This is an exciting role at a pivotal time for the UK nuclear sector. You will help regulate work that supports decarbonisation, energy security, national defence, new reactor technologies, fuel manufacture, decommissioning and waste management. A career with ONR offers the opportunity to shape how nuclear technology is used safely and securely, while contributing to a regulator that is becoming more modern, agile and productive.

As a Mechanical Engineering Inspector your work will be varied and strategically important. You are likely to undertake a range of roles across the sector, from assessing new reactor designs and advanced nuclear technologies to regulating construction, operational and decommissioning sites. Some inspectors undertake planned and reactive inspections at operational facilities, while others assess submissions, manage discrete intervention projects, conduct investigations, commission research, or mentor and develop the next generation of inspectors.

Across these activities, you will help ONR deliver proportionate, enabling regulation that supports safe innovation and maintains public confidence.

ONR Mechanical Engineering Inspectors assess and inspect systems that are comprised of a wide range of mechanical engineering equipment, we focus on those systems that are important to safety. Many of the systems that operate within the nuclear industry use proven techniques, such as applying redundancy, diversity, and segregation. These systems require a range of through life tasks to be undertaken, such as design analysis and equipment qualification etc.

We are looking for people with in-depth technical knowledge of nuclear safety significant mechanical systems. This includes their design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, operation and decommissioning. The type of systems you will be expected to show a knowledge of includes the following: ventilation and containment (in particular Alpha containment), lifting, fuel handling, power reactor, chemical and process plant, heat transfer, pressure, and transport package systems.

Applicants should be experienced in asset and maintenance management processes. A working knowledge of automation techniques such as, robotics, digitisation or artificial intelligence would be an advantage.

As well as providing guidance and advice in your specialism, you would need to be able to take the lead on the technical assessment of Mechanical Engineering aspects of safety cases and in making judgements on the adequacy of the safety case and site-based interventions.

Extensive training will be provided on the legal and regulatory aspects of the role, along with opportunities to continue to develop the expand and deepen knowledge in the specialist area and on a range of nuclear technologies.

None currently, however, there could be an expectation to manage staff in the future.

This post may be undertaken from the closest ONR office (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London).

You may be eligible for relocation package up to £15,000. This post requires some travel including overnight stays predominantly across the United Kingdom and occasionally abroad. The successful applicant requires a full driving licence which permits the holder to drive in the UK unless reasonable adjustments can be made under the Equality Act 2010.

ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in…