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Rolls-Royce SMR

Engineer - C&I

Hybrid

Derby, United kingdom

Freelance

10-02-2026

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Skills

Communication Test Architecture

Job Specifications

Role Title: Control and Instrumentation (C&I) Engineer

We are Rolls-Royce SMR and 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.

The Control & Instrumentation (C&I) engineering function delivers the complete lifecycle of C&I systems — from system architecture and sub‑system design through component specification, integration and design assurance — working across nuclear safety‑classified and non‑classified systems.

About The Role

As a C&I Engineer, you will provide technical expertise across the full lifecycle of C&I systems for the SMR nuclear power plant. You will contribute to delivering a complete and verified design spanning system architecture, sub‑system development, specification, design and implementation. The role requires close collaboration with engineering teams across the power station, applying a structured systems engineering approach to ensure safe, robust and compliant solutions.

You will support the development, verification and substantiation of system specifications and ensure compliance with key international standards (including IEC 61513, IEC 61226 and IEC 61508). The role involves defining verification and validation plans, supporting lifecycle policies and procedures, and contributing to safety cases, including engagement with regulators and independent safety assessors.

We’ll Need You To

Work with process and mechanical system engineers to translate high‑level requirements into C&I system specifications
Liaise across engineering disciplines to understand system functional performance and enable effective system design
Assess and substantiate that system designs meet all functional and regulatory requirements
Ensure compliance with international C&I standards (IEC 61513, IEC 61226, IEC 61508)
Produce verification and validation plans and define test plans to demonstrate system compliance
Support lifecycle planning and implementation of C&I‑related processes, policies, guidelines and tools
Ensure optimum design solutions across procurement, operations and maintenance activities
Support the development of safety case documentation and provide input to regulatory engagements
Act as responsible designer or intelligent customer depending on task
Deliver agreed work packages and oversee contract partners where required

Key Skills Required

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:

Experience across the design and implementation lifecycle of C&I systems within a highly regulated environment (nuclear desirable but not essential)
Knowledge and experience across one or more areas of the C&I discipline, such as:
Safety assessments
Hardwired or programmable protection systems
Industrial plant process control systems
C&I instrumentation
Data management/processing systems (DCS, SCADA, PLC, FPGA)
Physical integration and implementation of C&I plant
Cabling design, routing, installation and commissioning
Environmental qualification (EMI/RFI, DSEAR, ATEX etc.)
Understanding of system and component qualification principles
Experience applying systems engineering methodologies, including MBSE, to C&I systems
Excellent communication skills, able to interpret complex information and present compelling technical outputs
Ability to act as an intelligent customer, providing technical oversight and making technical judgements
Degree-level qualification in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, control systems or mechatronics (or equivalent experience)

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 £43,000–£56,438 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

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, and a culture that values diversity, innovation and continuous learning.

Selection Process

The closing date for this role is 1st March 2026. The process will then consist of an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, and interviews to take place str

About the Company

Climate change and its consequences are one of the greatest challenges ever to face mankind. The global challenge around decarbonisation is huge. At Rolls-Royce SMR, our vision is simple – we want to provide clean, affordable energy for all. A new approach to delivering nuclear power Our Small Modular Reactor is an integrated power station, that takes well understood, existing nuclear technology and applies a factory-based philosophy to its fabrication and assembly. This repeatable, standardised approach generates hu... Know more