Senior Thermofluids Modelling Engineer (Reactor Faults) at Rolls-Royce

We are now recruiting for a Senior Thermofluids Modelling Engineer to join our Performance & Analysis team, the centre of excellence for engineering analysis used to substantiate the performance and safety of the SMR power station.

About the Role:

• As a senior performance analyst, you will technically lead a small team to model fluid and thermal systems that extract power from the nuclear core and ensure safe operation of the reactor. This will involve producing models and analyses that demonstrate reactor operation and working closely with system designers to optimise the design of the plant and its safety systems to maximise safety, performance, and value for money.
• Analysis outputs form a key input to the safety case and support the overall substantiation of the power station design. Performance analysts have a key role in supporting the development of and authoring analysis sections of the safety case.
• The team uses a wide variety of tools and software to analyse key scenarios for the plant, including:
• Normal operations, when the reactor must produce power and respond to changes in demand from the grid
• Operating transients such as shutting down the reactor and then restarting it for refuelling
• Reactor faults, where passive safety systems are key to protecting the core and ensuring the integrity of the containment
• Due to the safety-critical nature of the modelling we undertake, excellent quality-management processes and code verification, validation and uncertainty quantification are essential. The development of robust and automated analysis routes around the analysis codes, primarily developed using Python on our Linux-based high-performance computing resources, is an important aspect of this.
• The performance team collaborates closely with our in-house test capability team, who are building large-scale multi-megawatt test rigs to represent key aspects of the plant to support the validation of the performance analysis tools. There are opportunities within the team to work on benchmarking of our codes against test data and support the development of the test rig designs and associated test campaigns.
• As performance analysis supports the development and substantiation of many aspects of the power station design, effective communication and collaboration with teams across a wide range of engineering and non-engineering disciplines is essential.
• Senior performance engineers will additionally be expected to apply technical expertise to support the development of capability and staff across the technical function and technically lead small teams and interfaces with other areas of the business.
• As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals with a minimum level of experience, training, and qualification. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

We’ll Need You To:

• Lead a small team to model reactor systems and produce analyses that demonstrate safe and efficient operation
• Work closely with system designers to optimise plant design and safety systems
• Support development and authoring of safety case documentation
• Collaborate across teams to define analysis requirements and communicate results
• Key Skills Required:
• Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and thermal processes, with experience applying structured, methodical analysis approaches
• Hands-on experience using industry-standard fluids and thermal analysis software; familiarity with nuclear thermal hydraulics tools (RELAP, FLOMASTER, VIPRE, CTF, GOTHIC desirable)
• Proven ability to develop analysis methods, models, and tools, including Python-based solutions, to support design and safety case development
• Skilled in writing clear, structured analysis reports and contributing to safety case documentation
• Experience in verification and validation of analysis models, including benchmarking, uncertainty quantification, and adherence to software QA processes
• Knowledge of safety-critical plant systems in industries such as nuclear, oil & gas, or aerospace; nuclear-specific knowledge desirable but not essential
• Track record of delivering analysis tasks to time, cost, and quality, with strong communication and leadership skills
• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science; Chartered Engineer (or equivalent) preferred

Location:

• Hybrid working with one of the following locations as your primary site: Derby, Manchester or Warrington

Salary and Package:

• The salary band for this will be between £50,650–£66,500 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. There may be some flexibility with the starting salary in exceptional cases, and, in due course, there is the potential for you to develop the role further.

Benefits include:

• Bonus - Performance-related target opportunity 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance - £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays - 28 days (+ public holidays) with ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
• Home Office Support - £250 one-off payment for new starters

End Date: March 30, 2026