Originally named, Great British Nuclear, Great British Energy - Nuclear is an arm’s length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK’s energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy - Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future.
Great British Energy - Nuclear’s first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in 2023. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory based modular manufacturing and more flexible deployment options. In June 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear announced that Rolls-Royce SMR had been selected as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s first SMRs, following a technology selection process that began in 2023.
Great British Energy - Nuclear is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace.
This is an exciting opportunity where you will perform the Principal CS&A Engineer in Power Plant Team, responsible for leading, assuring and integrating all Civil, Structural and Architectural (CS&A) engineering activities that support the definition, justification and delivery of the SMR programme.
Operating as part of the client-side technical organisation, the role provides Intelligent Customer capability across all CS&A matters, ensuring that all design work undertaken by the Technology Partner (TP) meets GBE N requirements, regulatory expectations, safety, quality and performance standards.
The role requires strong technical leadership across concept, preliminary and detailed design phases, ensuring the structural integrity, constructability, robustness, and regulatory compliance of Reactor Island civil and structural systems.
It combines technical governance, design assurance, programme integration and risk management with the ability to shape and review work packages, task orders, technical specifications, and contract documentation. The Turbine Island Principal Engineer will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, safety case authors, regulators, construction planning, BIM/modelling teams, and commercial and project management functions to ensure coordinated and efficient delivery.
This is a hybrid role with a mix of remote and site/office-based work.
A full job description is available and attached to the job advert.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
- Responsibility for C&S discipline technical input for projects including preparation, checking and/or approval of engineering documentation.
- Ensure CS&A engineering decisions align with Reactor Island technical standards, nuclear safety requirements, and regulatory expectations.
- Define CS&A design requirements, acceptance criteria and verification evidence needed for design maturity and safety case substantiation.
- Lead delivery of CS&A analysis, calculations, reports, design specifications and technical justifications.
- Review, check and approve engineering documentation, including structural assessments, general arrangements, foundations, reinforcement detailing, load paths and seismic considerations.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant national and international codes, UK legislation, nuclear standards, and GBE N quality processes.
- Identify and deliver value engineering solutions without compromising safety or regulatory compliance.
- Draft, scope and technically assure CS&A work packages, task orders, and multi disciplinary deliverables.
- Develop and review subcontractor scopes of work, including geotechnical investigation (GI/SI) packages and contamination scopes.
- Lead optioneering exercises, define technical inputs to estimates, and support business case development.
- Participate in site visits, design reviews, safety reviews, constructability sessions and regulatory engagements.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:
- Demonstrable experience within the UK nuclear industry at all stages of the project lifecycle
- Good knowledge of design working practices and installation requirements of the discipline across a range of industries.
- Good understanding of structural design for nuclear facilities, including seismic design, reinforced concrete structures, steel structures, and safety critical civil assets.
- Knowledge of UK building codes, Eurocodes, CDM regulations, nuclear industry standards and installation practices.
- Experience assessing new and historic structures, performing optioneering studies, defining scopes of work and preparing technical specifications.
- Competence in producing high quality deliverables to schedule and budget.
- Understanding of construction methods and constructability considerations in nuclear or high hazard sectors.
- Effective communication skills, able to engage confidently with clients, regulators and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to work under time/cost constraints and prioritise effectively across competing demands.
- Understanding of BIM-enabled design environments.
- Knowledge and experience of common forms of contracts.
Qualifications
- BEng Civil or Structural Engineering (Desirable)
- Chartership with ICE or IStructE (Desirable)
- Must be able to obtain Security Clearance (British Citizen or 5 years residency in UK)
Please note, this role may require candidates to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of National Security Vetting.
We recognise that candidates may not meet every requirement listed. If your experience is not an exact match but you believe you have the skills, knowledge and potential to succeed in the role, we encourage you to apply.
Please complete our short application form to apply for this role. If shortlisted, one of our Talent Attraction Leads will be in touch to discuss the position in more detail. Good luck with your application!
At GBE-N, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. If you require any support or adjustments to help you with your application, please contact us at recruitment@greatbritishnuclear.uk, and we will be happy to provide assistance.