Senior Manager – Mechanical Handling at Rolls-Royce SMR · Derby

Role: Senior Manager – Mechanical Handling

Location: Hybrid working with any Rolls-Royce SMR location as primary, including Derby, Warrington or Manchester.

The Business

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Rolls-Royce SMR provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, combining world-class engineering with disciplined delivery. We are developing scalable nuclear technology capable of supporting energy security, accelerating the transition to net zero, and establishing the UK as a global leader in low-carbon energy and advanced manufacturing.

The Team

The Mechanical Installations team is responsible for delivering the integrated mechanical systems and equipment that underpin safe and reliable plant operations. Working across engineering disciplines, supply chain partners and programme functions, the team develops, governs and delivers complex safety-critical solutions that support the full lifecycle of our power stations. As the organisation grows, the team is building the capability, standards and expertise required to support deployment of multiple SMR units globally.

Summary

In this context, we are looking for a Senior Manager – Mechanical Handling, reporting to the Chief Design Engineer – Installations.

This is a strategic engineering leadership role accountable for the development, integration, governance and delivery of the Mechanical Handling equipment portfolio across Rolls-Royce SMR. Leading a growing multi-disciplinary organisation, you will own the technical direction, programme performance, engineering capability, design governance and through-life product strategy for a critical commodity group.

You'll be responsible for developing the team into the recognised Design Authority, ensuring the delivery of robust, licensable and commercially viable solutions, while building the people, processes, tools and supply chain capability needed to support future fleet deployment in the UK and internationally.

We'll need you to:

• Leading the development, governance and delivery of integrated Mechanical Handling solutions throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept through to operation and maintenance.
• Providing technical leadership and delegated engineering authority across Mechanical Handling equipment, ensuring safe, robust and deployable solutions.
• Building, leading and developing a growing engineering team, establishing the capability required to become the Design Authority and Intelligent Customer for the commodity.
• Owning delivery of major programmes across cost, schedule, quality, safety and technical performance objectives.
• Governing engineering substantiation, safety cases, design configuration and verification activities within your scope of accountability.
• Developing capability strategies covering engineering resources, supplier engagement, manufacturing readiness, materials, verification & validation and long-term delivery needs.
• Collaborating across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, safety, licensing, programme and supply chain functions to ensure fully integrated product delivery.
• Supporting customer, site-specific and future fleet deployment activities, ensuring solutions meet both programme and market requirements.

As you can see, this is one of the most influential leadership positions within Mechanical Installations, requiring a proven engineering leader who can inspire teams, shape strategy, make critical technical decisions and successfully deliver complex nuclear programmes in a rapidly growing organisation.

Essential Skills / Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional recognition.
• We'll ask about your experience leading the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of Mechanical Handling equipment or comparable safety-critical systems within the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry.
• Proven experience leading large engineering teams and delivering complex product development programmes across multiple stages of the product lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of engineering governance, safety substantiation, product ownership, design integration, manufacturing delivery and verification & validation activities.
• Experience managing substantial engineering budgets, programme risks, resource planning and capability development.
• Demonstrable success leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing stakeholders across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, commercial and programme functions.
• Ability to operate effectively within ambiguity, driving delivery and maintaining high-performance standards in a rapidly evolving environment.

Location

We offer flexible and hybrid working. Regular travel between UK sites is expected, with supplier, customer and stakeholder engagement required to support programme delivery. As the Rolls-Royce SMR programme expands, there may be opportunities to support international customer and supply chain activities.

What's in it for me?

• Salary between £71,000-£93,200
• Bonus – Performance-related target opportunity of up to 17%.
• Benefits Allowance – £5,000 enabling you to create a bespoke package.
• Pension – Competitive Rolls-Royce SMR pension scheme.
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays).
• Family Friendly Policies including: 39 weeks paid Maternity, Surrogacy and Adoption Leave, 6 weeks Paternity Leave, IVF and Assisted Conception, Neonatal Care and more.
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover healthcare.
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• The opportunity to shape a critical engineering capability within one of the UK's most exciting clean energy programmes and influence deployment of future SMR fleets worldwide.

Statements

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive recruitment practices and workplace adjustments where needed.

You may not feel you meet every requirement – and that's okay. If you feel you meet around 75% of the role, we would love to hear from you. We also welcome applications from candidates bringing transferable skills or considering a sector move.

Pay Range: £71,000.00

£93,187.50

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