Head of Thermal Hydraulic – Fault Analysis

Rolls-Royce SMR

. Provide strategic, technical, programme and functional leadership for all thermal hydraulic analysis activities across the power station .

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 thermal hydraulics, reactor fault analysis, and nuclear safety analysis, with a strong focus on leading complex engineering programmes and developing high-performance teams. Proven ability to define technical strategy, ensure quality outputs, and engage with regulatory bodies within the nuclear industry.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Thermal Hydraulic AnalysisReactor Fault AnalysisNuclear Safety AnalysisLeadership in Engineering ProgrammesRegulatory Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Thermal Hydraulic MethodologiesCFD AnalysisCode ValidationVerification and ValidationUncertainty QuantificationTechnical Standards DefinitionEngineering Capability DevelopmentTechnical Evidence DevelopmentSafety-Critical GovernanceProject Management

Soft Skills

MentoringCoachingPeople LeadershipHigh-Performance Culture BuildingStakeholder Engagement

Certifications & Qualifications

Chartered EngineerBaseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) ClearanceDisclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

Industry Keywords

Nuclear EngineeringPWR Thermal Hydraulic BehaviourUK Nuclear Regulatory ExpectationsDefence-in-DepthSafety Cases

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic, technical, programme and functional leadership for all thermal hydraulic analysis activities across the power station
Lead all Thermal Hydraulic & Fault Analysis activities across the SMR programme
Define and implement the long-term technical strategy for the discipline
Act as the recognised company authority in thermal hydraulics and reactor fault analysis
Lead development of thermal hydraulic methodologies, tools and governance arrangements
Oversee reactor transient and fault analysis, thermal hydraulic system analysis, CFD analysis, thermofluid engineering support and code validation programmes
Define requirements for analysis tool development and capability enhancement
Lead integration of thermal hydraulic evidence into the E3S and safety cases
Ensure technical outputs meet required quality, schedule and programme milestones
Chair technical reviews and governance forums
Prioritise competing analysis demands and customer programmes
Lead and develop a multidisciplinary function of approximately 60 engineers, specialists and experts
Support regulatory engagement, customer interactions and external technical forums
Act as deputy to the Head of Power Station Performance & Analysis Capability when required
Maintain accountability for discipline quality, capability and performance
Engage with regulators, customers, industry bodies and senior stakeholders to support programme delivery and strategic growth

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics or a related technical discipline
Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional registration
Proven senior leadership experience within nuclear engineering or another highly regulated industry
Extensive experience leading large, technically complex engineering programmes
Recognised technical authority in thermal hydraulics, reactor fault analysis and nuclear safety analysis
Deep understanding of PWR thermal hydraulic behaviour and analysis methodologies
Ability to define technical standards, strategy and future direction for the discipline
Experience leading specialist and expert teams delivering complex analysis programmes
Strong understanding of verification, validation and uncertainty quantification approaches
Experience leading large engineering functions through managers, specialists and technical leaders
Proven capability in recruitment, capability development and succession planning
Strong mentoring, coaching and people leadership skills
Ability to build a high-performance culture focused on technical excellence and efficient delivery
Proven track record of leading large and complex thermal hydraulic analysis programmes
Experience managing technical delivery across multiple projects and stakeholders
Experience specifying and managing external analysis contracts and supply chain activities
Strong governance experience within safety-critical industries
Experience approving and assuring technical outputs and engineering decisions
Strong understanding of UK nuclear regulatory expectations and licensing frameworks
Experience supporting or leading regulatory engagement activities
Strong understanding of nuclear safety principles and defence-in-depth
Experience developing technical evidence to support nuclear safety cases
Experience developing engineering capability across people, processes and toolsets
Proven ability to implement best practice methods and improved ways of working
Experience driving efficiency, consistency and technical excellence across engineering organisations
Ability to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Satisfactory basic financial probity check

Benefits

Comp & perks

Performance-related bonus target opportunity up to 20%
Benefits allowance of £8,500 per annum for a bespoke package
Pension: 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
29 days’ holiday plus public holidays
Ability to buy or sell up to 5 holiday 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
Continuous learning and engineering excellence culture
Additional screening and clearance support as part of the application process