Manager – Civil & Structural (Reactor Island)

Location: Hybrid working with one of the following as primary: Derby, Warrington or Manchester

Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge. We are in pole position to become a world leader in SMRs and the UK's premier green export technology.

The Team

The Reactor Island Civil & Structural team is central to the successful development of the RR SMR design. Responsible for the design, integration and substantiation of safety-classified steel and concrete structures, the team combines engineering excellence, innovation and collaboration to deliver some of the programme's most safety-critical infrastructure.

The Role

In this context, we are looking for a Manager – Civil & Structural (Reactor Island) to report to the Head of Structures. Managing a team of Technical Leads and providing leadership across a wider organisation of approximately 20-25 engineers, secondees and supply chain partners, this role will drive the delivery of critical Reactor Island civil and structural design activities while shaping the strategy, capability and future direction of one of the UK's most significant clean energy programmes.

What We'll Need You to Do

We'll need you to:

• Leading the delivery of civil and structural design activities across multiple Reactor Island workstreams, ensuring programme, quality and schedule objectives are achieved through GDA Step 3, Detailed Design and Execution Design phases.

• Managing and developing a team of Technical Leads, providing leadership across engineers, delivery partners and suppliers while fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.

• Overseeing the design, assessment and substantiation of safety-classified reinforced concrete and steel structures, ensuring compliance with applicable codes, standards, safety requirements and regulatory expectations.

• Driving design integration activities across Reactor Island disciplines, resolving complex technical interfaces and influencing design decisions critical to programme success.

• Leading technical governance and assurance activities, including design reviews, engineering approvals, gateway reviews, safety case deliverables and technical decision-making.

• Acting as the primary escalation point for technical, programme and people-related challenges, supporting the successful delivery of multiple concurrent workstreams.

• Providing effective programme leadership through resource planning, recruitment, risk management, performance monitoring and monthly progress reporting.

• Supporting the development of engineering strategy, delivery processes and continuous improvement initiatives to enable the successful execution of future programme phases.

• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, regulators, engineering partners and supply chain organisations to support the successful delivery of programme objectives.

• Demonstrating the responsibilities of a Designer under CDM 2015 Regulations and promoting the highest standards of safety, quality and engineering excellence.

What You'll Bring

As you can see, this is a pivotal leadership role within the programme, requiring a technically accomplished and people-focused engineering leader who can inspire teams, influence strategic decisions, build stakeholder confidence and successfully deliver large-scale engineering programmes in highly regulated environments, alongside:

Experience & Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline, alongside Chartered Engineer status with ICE or IStructE.

• We'll ask you about your experience leading complex engineering programmes, managing medium-to-large teams and delivering major civil and structural engineering projects within regulated or safety-critical industries.

• Demonstrable experience of design management, technical governance and the delivery of safety-classified structures, including reinforced concrete, steel and composite structures.

• Strong understanding of structural design, assessment and substantiation, together with experience applying relevant engineering codes, standards and industry best practice.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, managing technical risk and delivering solutions across complex stakeholder environments involving clients, suppliers and engineering partners.

• Knowledge of safety case development, regulatory compliance, design integration and engineering assurance processes within highly regulated sectors.

• Experience of seismic design, severe accident loading scenarios or nuclear infrastructure would be advantageous.

• Nuclear industry experience is welcomed but not essential. We encourage applications from candidates with transferable skills gained within other regulated sectors such as defence, energy, rail, aerospace, oil & gas or major infrastructure programmes.

Location

We offer flexible and hybrid working but expect regular attendance at one of our offices in Derby, Warrington or Manchester, together with occasional travel to support programme delivery, stakeholder engagement and team leadership activities.

What's In It For You

• Salary: £60,000 - £78,750 dependent on experience

• Bonus: Performance-related target opportunity of 12.5%

• Benefits Allowance: £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package

• Pension: 12% employer and 6% employee contributions

• Holidays: 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days

• Private Medical Insurance: BUPA single cover healthcare

• Life Assurance: 6x pensionable pay

• Home Office Support: £250 one-off payment for new starters

You'll be joining a growing organisation at a critical stage of development, with opportunities to shape engineering strategy, influence major technical decisions and accelerate your leadership career while contributing to a nationally significant clean energy programme with global ambitions.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of staged interviews.

Due to the nature of the role, candidates will be required to successfully complete:

• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

• Basic financial probity checks

Inclusion & Diversity

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.

We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable workplace adjustments where required.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying, but there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we would love to hear from you.

We also welcome applications from individuals considering a sector move who can demonstrate transferable skills from other regulated or safety-critical industries.

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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