Head of Mechanical Equipment

Location: Hybrid working with regular travel to Warrington, Derby and Manchester

Our Mission
At Rolls-Royce SMR, we're delivering a new generation of low-carbon nuclear power. By combining world-class engineering expertise with innovative manufacturing and deployment techniques, we're transforming how nuclear power stations are designed, built and deployed. Our mission is to provide affordable, scalable clean energy that supports energy security and helps achieve net-zero ambitions worldwide.

The Team
Reporting to the Chief Design Engineer, you'll lead the Mechanical Equipment function within our Engineering organisation. This is a senior leadership role responsible for a large team of engineers and specialists delivering mechanical equipment solutions that are critical to the success of the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. Working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations and Programme teams, you'll help shape technical strategy, build organisational capability and deliver complex engineering solutions at scale.

The Role
This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the most significant engineering functions within Rolls-Royce SMR. As Head of Mechanical Equipment, you'll be responsible for the technical direction, governance and delivery of the Mechanical Equipment scope, covering plant equipment, commodity equipment and support equipment across the power station. Acting as a delegate to the Chief Design Engineer, you'll provide leadership across a large engineering organisation, guide key design decisions, manage technical risk and ensure the delivery of safe, robust and integrated engineering solutions. You'll play a key role in developing our industrialisation strategy, working with internal teams, suppliers and external stakeholders to support the successful deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR technology. This is a highly visible position with the opportunity to influence technical, programme and business outcomes across the organisation.

What We'll Need You to Do

- Lead the Mechanical Equipment function, providing technical, programme and people leadership across a team of approximately 60 engineers and specialists.

- Act as a delegate for the Chief Design Engineer, taking ownership of key design decisions, technical governance and programme risk management.

- Drive the development and delivery of integrated mechanical equipment solutions, including plant equipment, commodity equipment and support equipment across the SMR programme.

- Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations and Programme teams to deliver programme milestones, manage supplier partnerships and ensure successful execution.

- Shape the industrialisation strategy for Mechanical Equipment, ensuring solutions are safe, scalable and ready for deployment.

What You'll Bring

- Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or a related discipline.

- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or working towards professional registration.

- Significant experience leading complex engineering programmes within regulated industries such as nuclear, aerospace, defence, oil and gas or other safety-critical sectors.

- Proven experience leading large multidisciplinary engineering teams and influencing senior stakeholders across a complex organisation.

- Strong understanding of mechanical equipment design, product development, technical governance and engineering delivery.

- Excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills, with the ability to drive alignment and performance across multiple functions.

- Experience of industrialisation, manufacturing scale-up, design authority or regulatory engagement would be advantageous.

Location
This role can be based from any Rolls-Royce SMR location with hybrid and flexible working arrangements available. Regular collaboration across Derby, Warrington and Manchester will be required, with occasional travel to other business and customer sites as needed.

What’s in It for You:
We anticipate paying a salary of between £85,600 - £112,350 DOE plus:-

- Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 20%

- Benefits Allowance – £8,500 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package

- Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.

- Holidays - 29 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
You’ll be joining a rapidly growing organisation at a critical stage of its development, offering excellent opportunities for learning, professional development, and long-term career progression within a purpose-driven and innovative environment.

Pay Range:
£85,600.00 -
£112,350.00

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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