Quality Technical Lead

Job Description
Quality Technical Lead
Location: Hybrid, based from one of our offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington
About Us
Rolls‑Royce SMR is here to transform how nuclear energy is delivered—cleaner, faster and at global scale. Our teams are developing one of the world’s most advanced small modular reactors, helping secure affordable, low‑carbon energy for generations to come. 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.
Role Summary
The Quality Technical Lead supports the Quality Technical Manager by providing specialist technical expertise, assurance, and oversight across nuclear quality processes, standards, and engineering activities.
The role acts as a key technical point of contact for quality related matters, ensuring that nuclear safety requirements, quality standards, and regulatory expectations are embedded into programme delivery.
The Quality Technical Lead contributes to the development and governance of nuclear codes requirements and, standards ensuring consistency and technical integrity across the organisation.
What we’ll need you to do:
Short Term Goals 0 – 6 Months
Develop a strong understanding of assigned contracts, work packages, and programme scopes.
Take a key role in developing, maintaining, and applying nuclear codes, standards, specifications, and quality procedures
Become fully familiar with internal nuclear quality processes, standards, and engineering workflows.
Understand nuclear safety requirements and regulatory expectations embedded in programme delivery.
Position yourself as a technical point of contact for quality related matters.
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Mid Term Goals 6-18 Months
Work with teams to ensure consistent application of nuclear quality standards across our projects and programmes
Conduct structured technical assurance assessments, audits, and verification/validation activities
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Long‑Term Goals 18+ months
Champion continuous improvement and nuclear quality mindset across project delivery
Ensure readiness processes are fully integrated into programme delivery cycles.
Shape long‑term nuclear codes, standards, and processes, ensuring consistent application across the organisation.
Support readiness for external regulatory engagements and major project milestones.
Regulatory Compliance
Evidence that quality requirements are understood and applied by engineering, supply chain, and project teams (e.g., approved workflows, documented reviews, and compliance checks).
Proactive identification and mitigation of quality risks, captured within project quality risk registers.
Delivery of structured readiness evidence packs demonstrating compliance with nuclear quality standards.
Production of auditable evidence to show compliance with nuclear safety, regulatory, and quality management requirements.
Successfully supported internal audits, external audits, and regulatory engagement activities.
Standards, Codes & Technical Requirements
Contribute to the development, maintenance, and application of nuclear codes, standards, specifications, and technical procedures.
Support the creation and review of Statements of Work (SoWs) and quality requirements for internal teams and suppliers.
Ensure engineering and quality deliverables meet regulatory, contractual, and internal technical standards.
Technical Assurance & Compliance
Support technical assurance activities such as audits, reviews, technical assessments, and verification validation activities.
Perform technical quality reviews of engineering documentation and evidence to ensure compliance with nuclear safety and quality frameworks.
Identify and escalate technical risks, issues, and non‑conformances, supporting resolution and corrective actions.
Quality Strategy and Continuous Improvement
Assess and optimise quality processes to improve efficiency, reduce defects, and enhance product and service integrity.
Support the development and deployment of quality strategies, assurance frameworks, process improvements, and standardisation initiatives.
Key Skills & Experience
Strong technical background within nuclear engineering, quality assurance, or safety‑critical industries.
Experience applying nuclear or defence codes and standards (e.g., ASME, RCC‑MRx, ISO, ONR TAGs).
Understanding of nuclear safety principles, quality assurance frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
Experience in technical reviews, assurance activities, and documentation assessment.
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
High attention to detail
What’s in It for You
A salary between £50,650 - £66,500, £2,200 benefit allowance, 12.5% bonus opportunity, 6x pensionable life assurance, 50% income protection, 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, and a £250 new‑joiner payment—alongside opportunities for development and progression.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a competency‑based interview and may be asked to provide evidence of document management capability. This role requires BPSS checks as part of our onboarding process.
Inclusion & Accessibility
We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. If you meet around 75% of the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you. We’re happy to discuss reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and offer flexible or part‑time working where possible.


Pay Range:
£50,600.00
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£66,465.00

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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