Associate Engineer – Severe Accident Analysis

Role Title: Associate Engineer – Severe Accident Analysis

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

About the Team:

The Performance & Analysis team is the centre of excellence within Rolls‑Royce SMR for the engineering analysis used to substantiate the performance and safety of the power station.

Within this function, the Severe Accident Analysis team is responsible for assessing accident scenarios under Design Extension Conditions, supporting the optimisation of safety system design and the substantiation of safety claims for unlikely but high-consequence reactor events. The team studies reactor core, reactor coolant system and containment behaviour during severe fault conditions, providing key evidence to support the nuclear safety case.

About the Role:

As an Associate Engineer – Severe Accident Analysis, you will support the technical and programme delivery of severe accident analysis work packages, acting as a technical author under the guidance of more experienced engineers.

You will work alongside system design, layout and E3S teams to define analysis requirements and undertake studies that support design optimisation, demonstrate plant safety and support the justification of ALARP positions.

You will contribute to the assessment of complex accident scenarios including Loss of Coolant Accidents, Intact Circuit Faults, Bypass/Secondary Faults and Shutdown Faults. These scenarios involve the study of challenging thermal‑hydraulic phenomena, including core degradation, combustible gas generation, steam behaviour and the performance of safety systems.

As an Associate Engineer, you will also have the opportunity to undertake placements across the wider business, particularly within the Performance & Analysis function, helping you broaden your experience and develop your long-term career direction.

We’ll Need You To:

• Support severe accident analysis activities across the SMR programme
• Develop and deliver analytical models under the guidance of senior engineers
• Assess reactor, coolant system and containment behaviour during severe fault conditions
• Support design optimisation and safety case substantiation activities
• Collaborate with system design, layout and E3S teams to define analysis requirements
• Produce high-quality technical documentation and analytical reports
• Apply robust quality assurance and governance processes
• Support verification and validation activities associated with analysis tools and methods
• Communicate analysis outputs clearly to a range of stakeholders
• Work collaboratively across multidisciplinary engineering and non-engineering teams
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of analytical methods and tools

Key Skills Required:

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:

• A strong academic background in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or a related STEM discipline
• Interest in nuclear engineering, reactor behaviour and severe accident analysis
• Understanding of thermal‑hydraulic principles and engineering analysis methods
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Ability to apply a structured and methodical approach to technical work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Commitment to high standards of engineering quality and technical rigour
• Flexibility and willingness to learn within a fast‑evolving technical environment
• Interest in developing capability in nuclear safety and accident analysis

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified (or expected to achieve degree qualification) in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or another relevant STEM discipline
• Interest in pursuing a technical career within nuclear engineering and safety analysis

Location:

Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site:

Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Selection Process:

The closing date for this role is 16th October 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.

Pay Range:

£30,000.00

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£39,375.00

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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