Ref: 425
Department: Safety & Regulatory Affairs
Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington
Employment type: Full-time
Salary: £40,000 - £52,500
Closing date: 11/08/2025
Role Related
Role Title: Physical Security Specialist
Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington
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.
We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Physical Security Specialist, to be involved in the compliance for game changing technology within the nuclear industry.
Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd (Rolls-Royce SMR) is designing a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to deliver a market driven, affordable and low carbon, power generation capability. Our design has been selected as the preferred option for Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) to deliver the next generation of nuclear power in the form of SMRs in the UK. We are currently putting the design through the Step 3 Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The Regulator’s assessment of the SMR considers the design in terms of a combined Environmental, Safety, Security and Safeguards (E3S) Case -
‘to protect people and environment from harm’.
Our design has also been selected by the government of Czechia as their preferred supplier to deliver their next generation of nuclear power in the form of SMRs. As part of this we work closely with CEZ Group, one of the leading energy operators in Western and Central Europe
This has led to an exciting opportunity for a Physical Security Specialist to join the Security Team within the Safety and Regulatory Affairs department in to support the delivery of SMRs in the UK and Czechia. The role holder will report to Nuclear Security Case Manager and will be given the opportunity to influence a generational change in energy security and the road to net zero.
This role holder will ensure all security requirements forming the basis of the Physical Protection System (PPS) are fully integrated in the design process and adhere to the minimum standards expected in delivering an inherently secure power plant. This is benchmarked against the Design Basis Threat (DBT) and regulatory expectations. You will work closely with stakeholders across the business, including engineers, safety professionals and other technical experts, to influence the design and convey proportionate and necessary protective security measures and design modifications. Furthermore, the role holder will be expected to represent RR SMR at external industry forums, engagement with clients and present to Regulators.
Key Results & What can be achieved in the role
- Experience in a physical security role delivering large scale security design and integration projects. To include demonstrable examples of physical security solution and design, preferably within critical national infrastructure, government or other large organisations.
- Familiarity with security technologies and capabilities including access control, surveillance systems, intruder detection and passive capabilities such as perimeter management, standoff measures and hostile vehicle mitigation. A demonstrable ability of having applied this familiarity in a working context and understanding of how these capabilities integrate with NPSA protective security principles of Deter, Detect, Delay, Mitigate and Respond.
- Analytical skills collating complex data from across the stakeholder space to determine credible conclusions around risk assessments, threat capability and adversarial pathways.
- Demonstrable ability to convey the principles of secure by design (ideally in a nuclear context) and the graded approach. Complemented by the ability to practice these principles through requirements identification, security claims and building an evidential picture in support of decisions, conclusive action and submissions to the Regulator.
- A credible operator, emotionally intelligent, with strong communication skills and the right attributes to engage and influence audiences of all levels with patience, rationality and confidence. An ability to work autonomously and within a multi-disciplinary environment and draw out key information required from stakeholders to progress the security team’s efforts.
- IT literate with an ability to deliver high-quality technical documentation under strict timescales and parameters.
- Comfortable delivering in uncertain conditions and against competing requirements, where the picture can at times be unclear during the design process.
- Ability to apply expected information assurance and compliance policies to everyday practice.
- A background of working in a physical security capacity within government, law enforcement or pertinent physical security experience in a corporate or similar setting, combined with demonstrable experience of stakeholder engagement and technical report writing is also encouraged.
- Good experience of working with regulators, a regulatory environment or frameworks within critical national infrastructure, government or other area of regulatory interest is desirable but not essential.
- Currently holds or is willing to obtain SC security clearance.
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.
Key Selection Criteria
Demonstratable understanding of the principles behind secure-by-design and the graded approach
- Knowledgeable in the practice and principles of requirements identification, analysis, and synthesis, to create substantiation of security claims, arguments, and evidence.
Experience in the delivery of physical security solutions in a highly regulated environment
- Ideally able to demonstratable capability of the implementation of Nuclear Physical Security Solution programmes, however, experience of implementation of solutions in other environments will be considered.
Threat Analysis
- Demonstratable understanding of Threat Analysis and Adversarial pathways.
Regulatory Requirements
- Experienced in engaging directly with regulators. Ideally understands nuclear security regulatory requirements, however, experience in other regulatory environments will be considered.
Control of Classified Information
- Demonstratable understanding of the protection of classified information; e.g. Sensitive Nuclear Information, commercially sensitive information and Intellectual Property.
Pay And Benefits
We anticipate paying a salary of between £40,000 - £52,500 DOE plus:-
- Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 12.5%
- Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package
- Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
- Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.
- Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
- Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
- £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases
Company Related
We are Rolls-Royce SMR
Rolls-Royce SMR is a rare employer because it blends the world-class brand of Rolls Royce with an exciting start-up that has a hugely challenging mission. We’re doing work that contributes to the survival of the planet. Because of our mission, there’s a pace and energy that is palpable, and our leaders draw you in with their passion, energy, and determination.
We’re one of a handful of employers who can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation – our people are here because of what makes them great, and our job is to help them make the best contribution of their careers doing work they love.
The start-up mentality coupled with our strengths-approach to people means there are opportunities to grow in ways and jobs you probably would be barred from doing in more traditional companies.
Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues
Our Culture
At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge.
Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.
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
