Head of Engineering Operating System

Location

Hybrid – Warrington, Derby or Manchester (with regular on-site collaboration).

Rolls‑Royce SMR is transforming the future of clean energy by developing world‑class Small Modular Reactors. This role sits within the Engineering Directorate, working closely with senior leaders across engineering, digital, safety and programme delivery. As Head of Engineering Operating System, you will provide operational leadership of the EOS to ensure an integrated, regulator‑credible system that supports rapid, auditable delivery.

• Lead and continuously evolve the Engineering Operating System to operate as a single, integrated high‑performing enterprise system.
• Provide clear operational oversight of engineering capability, capacity and resilience, ensuring teams can deliver predictably under pressure.
• Turn governance frameworks into practical, system‑enabled controls that drive consistent, compliant delivery.
• Drive adoption of standard processes, tools and digital platforms, reducing fragmentation across engineering teams.
• Partner with DigIT and platform owners to optimise system performance and resolve delivery‑impacting issues.
• Identify and manage systemic risks, providing early visibility and ensuring effective mitigation across the organisation.
• Deliver clear, data‑led insight into EOS performance, trends and system health to inform leadership decision‑making.

• Strong senior leadership experience in enterprise‑scale engineering environments, ideally within regulated or safety‑critical industries.
• A track record of operating and improving engineering systems, governance and assurance processes in live delivery environments.
• Deep understanding of risk, controls and information integrity at an organisational level.
• Experience working across engineering, digital and programme delivery functions, with a strong focus on integration.
• Degree qualification in engineering (or equivalent) and professional recognition such as Chartered Engineer.
• A collaborative, pragmatic leadership style with the ability to influence and align diverse senior stakeholders.
• The judgement and resilience to maintain control, pace and quality in complex, high‑pressure delivery settings.

• Salary: £85,600.00 – £ DOE.
• Bonus:
  Performance‑related target opportunity of 20%.
• Benefits Allowance: £8,500 per annum.
• Pension: 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays: 28 days + public holidays, plus option to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance: BUPA single cover health care.
• Life Assurance: 6x pensionable pay.
• One‑off payment for new starters for home office purchases.

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 can thrive.