Lead Engineer - Electrical Systems (Safety Case)

Role Title: Lead Engineer – Electrical Systems (Safety Case)

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.

The Electrical Systems team plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, resilience and regulatory compliance of the SMR power station. As part of this, the Safety Case function ensures that all electrical systems meet nuclear safety, environmental protection, security and safeguards requirements, demonstrated through robust safety case documentation that supports regulatory assessment and licensing.

About The Role

As a Lead Engineer – Electrical Systems (Safety Case), you will provide safety case expertise across the full lifecycle of electrical systems for the Rolls‑Royce SMR. You will lead the development and maintenance of safety case structures using the Claims, Arguments and Evidence (CAE) approach, ensuring that safety case requirements are clearly integrated and substantiated within engineering design activities.

You will drive the application of ALARP and Best Available Techniques (BAT) principles, embed E3S (Environment, Safety, Security & Safeguards) expectations, and ensure that hazards are properly analysed and mitigated. You will work closely with safety case specialists, electrical engineers, E3S teams and wider engineering disciplines, ensuring the electrical systems safety case remains aligned, rigorous and suitable for regulatory scrutiny, including GDA and site licensing.

We’ll Need You To

• Lead the development and maintenance of the electrical systems safety case using a structured CAE approach
• Drive electrical licensing activities and produce documentation for regulatory assessment
• Develop the E3S case electrical chapter and associated site licensing submissions
• Ensure safety case requirements are articulated, assured and traced into engineering designs
• Apply ALARP, BAT and relevant good practice throughout design decision‑making
• Ensure electrical design and safety case documentation remain aligned throughout the lifecycle
• Conduct and apply internal and external hazard analysis to support safety case substantiation
• Collaborate across E3S, electrical engineering and multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver an integrated safety case
• Manage work packages delivered by supply chain partners
• Contribute to GDA deliverables and system safety submissions
• Support engagement with regulators and provide structured justification for design decisions
  
  

Key Skills Required

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

• Strong experience applying deterministic and probabilistic safety analysis to engineering systems

Knowledge of designing systems to withstand internal and external hazards in nuclear or high‑integrity environments

Experience substantiating engineering systems in nuclear safety applications

Experience authoring and/or verifying safety case documentation

Understanding of the UK civil nuclear regulatory framework and ONR Safety Assessment Principles (SAPs)

Knowledge of PWR plant design and operation (or similar nuclear‑grade system knowledge)

Experience working closely with electrical engineering teams to develop integrated engineering and safety case solutions

Strong systems engineering capability, including requirements management and structured verification

Excellent communication skills, able to present complex technical arguments clearly

Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams under time pressure

Degree in engineering or a scientific discipline, or equivalent relevant experience

Experience with CAE‑based safety case approaches, hazard analysis techniques, or nuclear licensing

We welcome applicants from nuclear and other regulated, high‑integrity sectors such as defence, aerospace and energy.

Location:

Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington

Salary And Package

The salary band for this will be between £63,600–£83,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be some flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and, in due course, the role may be developed further.

Benefits Include

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters
  
  

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, and a culture that values diversity, collaboration and continuous learning.

Selection Process

The closing date for this role is 30th March 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, followed by shortlisting and first‑round interviews shortly after.

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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