Lead Specialist - Software Development

Pay Range£60,000.00 – £78,750.00

LocationFlexible (Warrington, Derby or Manchester) with hybrid working. Requires attendance at the key site as needed for collaboration.

Our MissionAt Rolls‑Royce SMR we are pioneering a new era of clean, affordable nuclear energy. Our Small Modular Reactor programme delivers low‑carbon power at scale, supporting global energy security. We combine world‑class engineering, manufacturing and digital innovation to transform how nuclear power is delivered.

The TeamYou will join our Engineering organisation in a highly collaborative, multi‑disciplinary environment that spans structural analysis, thermal, fluid dynamics and beyond. As part of the Engineering Specialist Capability you will operate across teams, providing leadership and influencing how software is used to enable smarter and more efficient engineering analysis.

The RoleAs Lead Specialist – Software Development you will provide technical leadership in creating and applying software solutions that enhance engineering analysis across the organisation. You will shape development practices, automate methods, improve quality and enable multi‑disciplinary integration. Acting as a recognised technical authority you will ensure solutions meet the highest standards of validation, verification and regulatory expectations in a highly regulated nuclear environment. This is a strategic, hands‑on role combining deep technical expertise with leadership, mentoring and cross‑functional collaboration.

ResponsibilitiesProvide technical leadership for the development, verification and implementation of software solutions supporting structural and multi‑disciplinary analysis.Define and drive the strategic direction for engineering software development, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and integration across analysis domains.Act as the technical authority for software quality, ensuring robust validation and verification across internally developed and supplier‑delivered tools.Lead the resolution of complex and ambiguous technical challenges, enabling effective decision‑making across multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.Strengthen organisational capability by coaching, mentoring and developing engineers engaged in software development activities.Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, supply chain partners and external forums to influence technical direction and incorporate emerging technologies into strategy.

QualificationsA degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline, alongside Chartered Engineer status or progress towards it.Strong experience in developing, verifying and implementing software tools for engineering analysis, ideally within structural or defect tolerance applications.Solid understanding of software development environments such as Python and Azure DevOps, with familiarity in tools such as Abaqus or Ansys.Experience working across the full product lifecycle within a regulated industry, including knowledge of relevant standards, quality management and compliance frameworks.Demonstrated technical leadership capability, with experience providing oversight across teams and supply chain partners while driving continuous improvement.Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to mentor others and contribute to shaping technical strategy through awareness of industry trends and innovation.

Salary & PackageThe salary band for this role is between £60,000 and £78,750, dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. The role may develop further as the programme grows.

BenefitsBonus – Performance‑related target opportunity up to 12.5%Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke packagePension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributionsHolidays – 28 days (plus public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 daysPrivate Medical Insurance – BUPA single coverLife Assurance – 6× pensionable payHome Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

Why Join Us?You will be part of 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.

Equal OpportunityWe 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.

Application ProcessObtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearanceSatisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checkSatisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

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