Project Manager – Plant Design

Location: Manchester/Warrington or Derby (hybrid working available)

This role may require some international travel to the EU.

About Rolls-Royce SMR

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we're pioneering the future of clean energy. Our mission is to deliver affordable, low-carbon nuclear power through small modular reactors (SMRs), helping to transform how the world generates electricity.

We believe diversity of thought drives innovation. That's why we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to do their best work.

Our Team & Mission

You'll join our Programme Management function, working on the Temelin Plant Design programme, supporting the delivery of a next-generation nuclear power station.

This is a highly collaborative environment, bringing together engineering, procurement, regulatory and programme teams to deliver complex, high-impact projects.

The Role

We need you to support the delivery of the Cooling Water Island design work package within the Temelin programme. Reporting to a Senior Project Manager or Programme Manager, you'll work closely with Engineering Managers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

This role is ideal for a project management professional with experience delivering complex engineering projects who enjoys working across multiple stakeholders in a regulated environment.

What We Need You To Do

We need you to:

• Deliver your project scope safely, on time and within budget
• Maintain robust project plans with support from Project Planners
• Forecast and manage project finances alongside Cost Engineers
• Support resource planning and mobilisation activities across the work package
• Lead day-to-day collaboration with engineering and programme teams
• Identify and manage project risks, implementing effective mitigation plans
• Monitor project performance and escalate issues where required
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement activities
• Support engagement with customers, suppliers and regulatory stakeholders where required
• Ensure compliance with project management governance, processes and procedures

What You'll Bring

Project Management Expertise (High Priority)

• Experience delivering complex engineering or infrastructure projects, typically within a multi-disciplinary environment
• Strong capability across planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk and change management
• Experience working with project controls, including schedule and cost management
• Confidence using tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project or similar project management systems

Nuclear & Conventional Island Experience (Important for Success)

• Understanding of project delivery within highly regulated industries such as nuclear, defence, energy, infrastructure or similar sectors
• Awareness of nuclear safety culture and regulatory requirements
• Experience delivering or supporting Balance of Plant, Cooling Water Systems, Conventional Island, or other major engineering packages
• Experience working across multi-disciplinary engineering teams including mechanical, electrical and civil disciplines
• Understanding of how engineering, procurement, construction and regulatory activities interact within large-scale programmes

We recognise that nuclear experience can come from a variety of routes. If your experience is transferable from another highly regulated industry, we'd still encourage you to apply.

Technical & Regulatory Experience

• Good understanding of engineering project lifecycles and delivery models
• Experience working in complex regulatory environments
• Exposure to licensing, consenting activities or interface management with regulatory bodies would be advantageous

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Ability to build effective relationships across technical and non-technical teams
• Confidence communicating project status, risks and issues to a variety of stakeholders
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills
• Ability to simplify complex topics and communicate them clearly

International Experience

• Experience working with international teams would be beneficial
• Czech language skills or previous experience working in the Czech Republic would be advantageous but are not essential

Behaviours

• You take ownership and accountability for delivering results
• You are organised, proactive and solutions-focused
• You work collaboratively and build positive relationships across teams
• You are adaptable and respond effectively to changing priorities
• You help create an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute and thrive

Experience & Qualifications

We're open to different backgrounds and career paths. You might bring:

• A degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience
• Project management certification (e.g. APM PMQ) or equivalent experience
• Proven experience delivering engineering, infrastructure or capital projects
• Understanding of commercial, procurement, supply chain or project controls activities
• Experience managing stakeholders within complex project environments
• Experience working within the nuclear sector would be beneficial but is not essential

If you meet around 75% of the criteria, we'd still love to hear from you. There's no such thing as a perfect candidate.

Why Join Us

Reward & Benefits

• Salary: £50,600.00 - £66,500.00 
• Benefits allowance: £2,200
• Bonus opportunity: 12.5%
• Pension: Standard Rolls-Royce SMR pension 12%
• Holiday: 28 days plus bank holidays
• Life assurance: 6x pensionable salary
• Income protection: 50%
• £250 new joiner payment
• Flexible and part-time working options available

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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