Role: Expert Licensing Specialist

Location: Hybrid, based from one of our offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington

About Us

Rolls‑Royce SMR is here to transform how nuclear energy is delivered—cleaner, faster and at global scale. Our teams are developing one of the world’s most advanced small modular reactors, helping secure affordable, low‑carbon energy for generations to come.

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.

Role Purpose

• Developing and maintaining the strategy for licensing in one or more nominated jurisdictions,

• Delivery of pre-licensing and licensing activities in one or more nominated jurisdictions,

• Providing input to and maintaining the relevant country specific schedule(s) for deployment with respect to licensing and permitting,

• Providing licensing and regulatory support to the (potential) customer(s) in the nominated country/countries,

• Leading the assessment of specific sites with respect to informing future environmental permits/construction/operating licences.

What we’ll need you to do

• Refining and maintaining the generic First Of a Fleet (FOAF) schedule with respect to licensing,

• Providing licensing and regulatory support to the strategy and production of Long Lead Items (LLIs),

• Delivery of, and acting as the interface with the Customer and Regulators for site specific licences and permits,

• Accountable for leading the assessment of sites to ensure that the generic Environment, Safety, Security and Safeguards (E3S) Case bounds the selected sites and specifying areas for further work where it does not.
• Leading of licensing project teams in nominated jurisdictions,

• Setting up and recruitment of secondee teams in country,

• Recruitment and setting up of licensing teams in country.

What we’re looking for

• A demonstrable ability to plan own work and to deliver to tight deadlines and a demonstrable approach to the solution of complex problems in a regulatory context. Rolls-Royce SMR seeks to obtain regulatory efficiency in the jurisdictions in which it operates and this approach calls for new and novel solutions to these complex issues.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills to be able to represent the project both internally to senior RR SMR stakeholders and externally to customers and senior regulators in both the UK and jurisdictions served by the Licensing Specialist. This will include discussion, negotiation and development of the licensing strategy in the relevant jurisdiction(s).
• A good understanding of the development of safety, environment or security cases coupled with a good understanding of the environmental permitting regulations and associated permit requirements/ conditions or nuclear safety or security requirements in one or more countries.
• Experience of the civil nuclear regulatory regime either in a new build and deployment capacity or through regulatory engagement on an operational or decommissioning nuclear facility.
• Experience of engaging and interfacing with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders on similar scale projects.
• Chartered or working towards Chartered status with a professional engineering, or equivalent, body.

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based in Derby, Manchester or Warrington, with flexibility to work between home and the office depending on business needs. There may be some international travel required on an ad hoc basis.

What’s in It for You

A salary between £71,000.00 - £93,200.00, £5,000 benefit allowance, 17% bonus opportunity, 6x pensionable life assurance, 50% income protection, 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, and a £250 new‑joiner payment—alongside opportunities for development and progression.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a competency‑based interview and may be asked to provide evidence of document management capability. This role requires BPSS checks as part of our onboarding process.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. If you meet around 75% of the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you. We’re happy to discuss reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and offer flexible or part‑time working where possible.

Pay Range:

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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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