Band 3 Nuclear Safety Inspector – Mechanical Engineering

ONR is not a Civil Service department, however, we are an arms length body of Department of Work and Pensions.

The Opportunity

As the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, our mission is vital to the nation’s safety and security. We protect society by securing safe operations at nuclear facilities across our nation.

This is an exciting role critical to the decarbonisation of the UK’s economy; our national defence; and the decommissioning of our nuclear legacy. A career with ONR will provide you with opportunity to lead and shape our society’s future use of nuclear technology.

The Role

As an inspector your job will be varied, and you are likely to undertake a range of roles across the sector; from regulating the construction of new nuclear build to the decommissioning of legacy facilities. Some inspectors concentrate on undertaking planned and reactive inspections on site, while others will assess safety submissions or manage discrete intervention projects. Additionally, there may be opportunities to conduct investigations, manage research projects and mentor and develop the next generation of inspectors.

As a mechanical engineering specialist inspector, you will evaluate and inspect a wide range of safety significant mechanical systems employed at nuclear (other high hazard) facilities. These systems include: lifting and mechanical handing, fluid and heat transfer, ventilation and containment, emergency generation, pressure systems.

You will design and lead interventions to promote and sustain the high standards expected in the mechanical design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of nuclear plant. We are looking for people with the technical credibility and excellent communication skills necessary to influence improvements at both the facility and sector level.

Extensive training will be provided on the legal and regulatory aspects of the role.

Line Management Responsibilities

• None currently, however, at this level there could be an expectation to manage staff in the future.

Work with Us

Our colleagues are from all walks of life with varied personal experiences and career journeys into ONR. We want the best people for our roles. As an inclusive employer we value individuals’ contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Our values ‘supportive, open-minded, fair and accountable’ are central to this. We invest in our people to build capability, resilience, and promote wellbeing in our great teams, underpinned by our inherent focus on inclusion and excellence.

Person Specification / What You’ll Need

Qualifications

We expect all Nuclear Safety Inspectors to have:

• Degree level qualification or equivalent in mechanical engineering (or a related discipline) or the ability to demonstrate performance and experience at an equivalent professional level;
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or the ability to demonstrate performance and/or experience at an equivalent professional level.

Essential Skills / Experience

• Experience of working in responsible positions in the nuclear sector (or another high hazard industry) in design, construction, commissioning, maintenance, or operational safety appraisal roles;
• Specialist knowledge enabling you to lead safety case assessment in at least one of the following areas: cranes and lifting; mechanical handling; stress analysis and pressure systems design; fluid and heat transfer systems; ventilation and containment; deterministic failure analysis and substantiation of high availability mechanical systems;
• Sound knowledge of applicable national and international codes, standards, and working practices;
• Knowledge of one or more nuclear / high hazard facilities, examples include: pressurised water reactors, advanced gas cooled reactors, high hazard processing plants etc;
• The ability to assimilate, analyse and provide judgements on new and complex technical issues, clearly and concisely;
• Strong communication, decision making and influencing skills. With the ability to see the bigger picture, targeting and prioritising work, based on risk.

We would ideally like you to have experience in the nuclear sector or alternative high hazard industry. But don’t worry if you don’t! We are happy to consider applicants with a non-nuclear/non-high hazard background who, if appointed, would undertake a structured nuclear training programme to reach Nuclear Safety Inspector level (subject to alternative salary range whilst training).

Inclusion

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier-free. Please contact ONR.Human-Resources@onr.gov.uk/ or 07823741047 / 07786544762 to discuss further. We will also offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the guaranteed interview scheme.

We recognise we have a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces and also have a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. We offer an interview to Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme. Please see eligibility criteria below;

• served for at least one year in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve);
• be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, His Majesty’s Armed Forces;
• not already be employed by ONR.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must hold or can achieve and retain National Security Vetting clearance at SC level.

Location / Travel

This post may be undertaken from a base at any one of ONR’s office locations (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London).

This post requires some travel including overnight stays predominantly across the United Kingdom and occasionally abroad.

The successful applicant requires a full driving licence which permits the holder to drive in the UK unless reasonable adjustments can be made under the Equality Act 2010

ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and / or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend some time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will collaborate with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.

An annual leave allowance of 25 plus 8 days public holiday. There is also an entitlement to 1 privilege day. Your annual leave allowance will increase by 1 day each year up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity 
• A civil service pension 

A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Colin Tait
• Email : colin.tait@onr.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : ONR.Human-Resources@onr.gov.uk