Senior Manager – Core

Location

Flexible (UK) – with regular collaboration across Derby, Warrington and Manchester.

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are redefining the future of clean energy. Our small modular reactor technology will provide reliable, low‑carbon power to millions—helping the UK and global communities transition to a more sustainable future. We are building a world‑class engineering capability to deliver this ambition, combining nuclear expertise with modern design and manufacturing approaches.

You will join our Nuclear Core Engineering function, working at the heart of reactor design. This role leads a critical part of the organisation responsible for reactor core performance, spanning thermal hydraulics, fuel performance, and advanced simulation capabilities.

You’ll oversee a multidisciplinary team of approximately 30 engineers and specialists, structured across multiple sub‑teams, and collaborate closely with a wider core organisation. The team plays a central role in delivering the core design programme, supporting regulatory engagement, and enabling key design milestones.

As Senior Manager – Core Performance, you will provide technical and programme leadership for one of the most complex and safety‑critical areas of the SMR design. You will be accountable for developing and delivering the reactor core performance strategy, including simulation methods, analytical capability, and thermal and fuel performance. You will lead the development of robust, integrated solutions that underpin the safety case and overall reactor design.

This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across the engineering organisation. You will shape technical direction, drive programme delivery, and play a key role in engagement with regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders.

• Lead and deliver core performance activities across design, analysis, and simulation
• Define and implement the technical strategy for core thermal and fuel performance, including analytical method development
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, providing leadership, coaching, and capability development
• Own delivery of programme milestones, ensuring outputs meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Oversee and govern technical outputs, including safety case substantiation and design documentation
• Manage key supplier and vendor relationships, including fuel development and analysis contracts
• Establish and maintain robust engineering governance, configuration control, and best practice processes
• Engage with internal stakeholders, regulators, and external partners to support programme progression
• Identify and resolve complex technical and programme challenges, driving continuous improvement across the function

• Degree‑qualified in a relevant engineering discipline and Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)
• Significant experience in nuclear engineering, with strong expertise in reactor core design, thermal hydraulics, or fuel performance
• Proven track record of leading complex engineering programmes and delivering against challenging milestones
• Experience managing large teams (10–30+ people) and developing high‑performing engineering organisations
• Strong understanding of nuclear regulatory frameworks and safety case development (e.g. ALARP, BAT principles)
• Experience working with advanced simulation and analysis tools (e.g. core physics or thermal hydraulics codes)
• Demonstrable experience managing suppliers, contracts, and external technical delivery
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align stakeholders at all levels
• A collaborative, proactive approach with the ability to drive decisions in a complex, evolving programme
• Passion for innovation and…