Senior CAD Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 15, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 9, 2026. Rolls-Royce SMR scores A on the Alion truth index.
Role: Senior CAD Engineer
Locations: Hybrid working with one of the following locations as primary: Derby, Warrington or Manchester
About Us
Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, positioning us at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. We are set to become a global leader in SMRs and the UK’s flagship green export technology.
The Team
The CAD team defines, integrates, and controls the product definition for the entire powerplant. Operating at the centre of multidisciplinary engineering, we deliver high-integrity 3D models and layouts that enable safe, efficient, and innovative SMR design across multiple global programmes.
The Role
In this context, we are looking for a Senior CAD Engineer to support the delivery of integrated product definitions across our SMR programme. Working within a high-performing CAD team, this is a pivotal role shaping how complex engineering designs are realised, integrated, and governed in a fast-scaling, highly regulated environment.
Key Deliverables
We’ll need you to:
- Leading development of high-integrity 3D models, assemblies, and drawings, ensuring quality, compliance, and traceability
- Driving multidisciplinary layout integration, resolving spatial and interface conflicts across systems
- Owning complex work packages, delivering outcomes independently while influencing engineering decisions
- Shaping CAD standards, tools, and best practices, supporting continuous improvement and capability maturity
- Collaboration with the Configuration team developing the classification libraries and integration with PLM software.
Why This Role
This is a high-impact, technically demanding position where you’ll bring structured thinking, engineering curiosity, and a pragmatic mindset, enabling you to translate complex requirements into robust, scalable digital design solutions. Support the integration of major CAD software packages for deployment across the business.
Skills & Experience
- A recognised engineering or design qualification, or equivalent hands-on experience in complex CAD environments preferably Aveva E3D/PDMS and NX with transferable skills between software environments.
- We’ll ask about your experience delivering integrated CAD models and layouts within multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Strong knowledge of 3D CAD systems (ideally Siemens NX and/or Aveva E3D) and engineering GD&T standards conforming to ASME Y14.5 / BS8888 for drafting and ISO14084 for Process diagrams.
- Experience working within configuration-controlled environments, including change management and lifecycle governance
Location
We offer hybrid working, with an expectation to attend one of our core offices in Derby, Warrington, or Manchester on a regular basis, with occasional travel as required.
What’s in it for you
- We anticipate paying a salary of between £50,650-£66,500 DOE
- Bonus - Performance related target opportunity 12.5%
- Benefits Allowance - £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package
- Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
- Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days.
- Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
- Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
- £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases
Selection Process
The process will include an initial discussion with Talent Acquisition, followed by 1-2 technical interview stages. We aim to provide timely feedback throughout.
Due to the nature of our industry, successful candidates will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment screening, including BPSS and DBS checks.
Inclusion & Diversity
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes.
If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we’d love to hear from you-there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate.
Pay Range:
£50,600.00-
£66,465.00Why 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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