Head of Radiological Protection Engineering

Rolls-Royce SMR

. Act as the overall technical authority for radiological engineering and analysis across Rolls-Royce SMR .

Posted 10/9/2026full-timeDerby • United KingdomLead💰 £85,600 - £112,350 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Radiological Engineering, including Radiation Protection, Accident Analysis, and Safety Case Development, while providing strategic leadership and mentoring within the nuclear industry. Proven ability to balance technical governance, programme delivery, and capability growth across complex engineering challenges.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Radiological EngineeringTechnical LeadershipNuclear Safety PrinciplesCapability DevelopmentRegulatory Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Radiation ProtectionAccident AnalysisSafety Case DevelopmentTechnical GovernanceEngineering Programme DeliveryCapability RoadmapsQuality AssuranceDefence-in-Depth ConceptsAnalysis MethodologiesNuclear Licensing Activities

Soft Skills

MentoringOrganisational DevelopmentTeam LeadershipStrategic PlanningCommunication

Certifications & Qualifications

Chartered PhysicistChartered EngineerChartered ScientistBPSS ClearanceDBS Check

Industry Keywords

Nuclear IndustryGeneric Design AssessmentRadiological Consequences AnalysisEngineering CapabilityTechnical Authority

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as the overall technical authority for radiological engineering and analysis across Rolls-Royce SMR
Lead the Radiation Protection Engineering, Severe Accident Analysis, Radiological Consequences Analysis and Radiation Physics & Shielding Analysis teams
Define and deliver the long-term strategic direction for the radiological engineering function
Develop capability roadmaps, organisational structures and succession plans
Ensure technical outputs meet quality, cost and schedule expectations
Lead development of relevant elements of the E3S case and supporting documentation
Support Generic Design Assessment, licensing activities and customer programmes
Provide technical leadership across complex safety, licensing and engineering challenges
Establish interfaces with Layout, Reactor Systems, Core Design, Licensing, Environmental Protection and Operations teams
Lead regulatory engagement and represent the function to external stakeholders
Act as deputy to the Head of Power Station Performance & Analysis Capability when required
Promote a strong nuclear safety culture
Develop and mentor engineering leaders, technical specialists and future capability areas
Provide strategic, technical, programme and organisational leadership for radiological engineering disciplines
Oversee delivery across multiple programmes and growth of approximately 40 engineers, specialists and technical leaders

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree qualified in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline
Chartered Physicist, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Scientist or equivalent professional registration
Significant experience within the nuclear industry
Demonstrable experience of technical leadership and line management
Ability to act as the recognised technical authority for radiological engineering and analysis
Experience defining long-term technical strategies and capability roadmaps
Ability to balance programme delivery with capability growth and organisational development
Experience identifying future skills, methods, toolsets and organisational needs
Proven experience leading large technical organisations through managers and technical specialists
Experience recruiting, developing and mentoring highly skilled engineering teams
Significant experience delivering complex engineering programmes to cost, schedule and quality requirements
Experience prioritising resources across multiple programmes and competing demands
Deep understanding of technical governance, assurance, review and approval processes
Experience acting as an intelligent customer for externally delivered technical services
Strong understanding of nuclear safety principles and defence-in-depth concepts
Experience leading regulatory engagements and supporting nuclear licensing activities
Experience developing robust nuclear safety cases supported by analysis and evidence
Experience developing engineering capability across people, processes and toolsets
Proven ability to establish and implement best-practice analysis methodologies
Track record of driving efficiency, consistency and quality improvements across engineering functions
Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline would be advantageous
Experience supporting GDA, licensing or regulator-facing programmes would be advantageous
Experience in radiation protection, shielding, accident analysis, reactor physics or safety case development would be advantageous
Experience leading capability development within a growing organisation would be advantageous
Experience managing and scaling teams through organisational growth would be advantageous
Applicants must obtain BPSS clearance
Applicants must satisfactorily complete a DBS check
Applicants must satisfactorily complete a basic financial probity check

Benefits

Comp & perks

Bonus – Performance-related target opportunity up to 20%
Benefits Allowance – £8,500 per annum for a bespoke package
Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
Holidays – 29 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days
Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
Home Office Support – £250 one-off payment for new starters
Flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment
Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business
Culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning