Rolls-Royce

Chief Design Engineer

Derby Full time

Job Description

Chief Design Engineer Technology

Full Time Pattern

Derby - Hybrid

In this role you will own and deliver validated Technical Programmes to satisfy requirements covering packages of work ranging from Sub-System, System to Multiple Systems.

What you will be doing

  • Defining the technical governance for the delivery for the Technology Programmes and be accountable for its implementation.  This includes owning the Engineering Management Plan for Technology and the associated key technical policies

  • Leading collation of customer technical requirements for the Technology Programmes and decision making by providing clear engineering recommendations

  • Own the Target Books for all future reactor plant applications and be accountable for their implementation

  • Working closely with the UK MoD to ensure adequate assurance is undertaken for the future reactor plant development

  • Working closely with MoD and other industrial partners to ensure integration of future plants and components are integrated into the associated platforms

  • Supporting Product Safety Boards as appropriate, at Product, Business and Company levels

Why Rolls-Royce?

Work with us and we’ll welcome you into a culture of caring and belonging where you can be yourself. We will listen first, embrace feedback and act with integrity. We will invest in your continuous learning and development, and make sure you have access to a wide breadth and depth of opportunities to grow your career and make a difference.

We offer excellent development, a competitive salary and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home or another remote location.  It’s a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement.  As a minimum we’re all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, frequency will depend on business needs, nature of role, what works for the team and for the individual. Discover more on our GBS Service Portal about hybrid working.

Who we’re looking for

  • Professionally qualified Engineer (UK minimum BEng degree or other national equivalent, higher degree preferred)

  • Member of a recognised UK engineering institution

  • Ideally completed the NSSC or equivalent course

  • Proven experience working in a technical leadership role

  • Experience of leading teams of engineers and acting in a technical governance capacity

  • Ideally experience of the technical exchange programme with the KTP

  • Understanding of Intellectual Property and Export Control requirements

  • Understanding of product safety management processes

  • Understanding of the technology development and implementation processes


Being a part of Rolls-Royce you’ll know we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference.  These principles form our behaviours. They are an essential component of our assessment process and are fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

Join us & help Rolls-Royce to become a high-performing, competitive, resilient business.

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. 

  

The professional level and the salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. 

It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives. And the more perspectives we have, the more successful we’ll be. By building a culture of respect and appreciation, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.

Learn more about our global Inclusion Strategy

To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines business an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.

Grade: Management Level B

Closing Date: 12th November 2025

For further information please contact: Alison Connaughton

Job Category

Mechanical Systems

Posting Date

02 Nov 2025; 00:11

Posting End Date

11 Nov 2025