Classifications
Systems Engineer (Senior)
Are you ready to take ownership of critical plant systems on a site that’s driving forward one of the UK’s most important decommissioning programmes? Do you want to apply your mechanical engineering expertise in an environment where legacy infrastructure meets modern, purpose-built facilities giving you a uniquely varied and rewarding technical challenge?
At Hunterston A, you’ll be joining a highly skilled Systems Engineering team at the heart of ensuring plant safety, performance, and longevity. From ageing plant repurposed for decommissioning to new waste processing facilities, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining and improving systems that are essential to safe operations. This is an opportunity to influence real outcomes while working alongside experienced, multi-disciplinary engineers in a collaborative and supportive environment.
What will you be doing
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer within Systems Engineering, you’ll act as the technical authority for a portfolio of plant systems, ensuring they operate safely, efficiently, and in line with long-term engineering strategies. You’ll be deeply involved in monitoring system health, identifying improvements, and guiding maintenance and modification activities to enhance performance and reliability.
Working closely with maintenance, projects, and fellow engineers, you’ll bring a proactive and analytical approach to managing assets balancing day-to-day operational support with longer-term improvements. You’ll also play a key role in mentoring others and contributing to a strong engineering culture across the site.
- Owning and developing engineering strategies for assigned systems to ensure long-term performance and safety
- Monitoring, analysing, and improving system performance through data, inspections, and walkdowns
- Leading or supporting maintenance planning, modifications, and technical documentation
- Investigating events and applying operational learning to continuously improve plant reliability
Who are we looking for
You’re a capable and motivated Mechanical Engineer with experience working on industrial or process plant, ready to take the next step into a senior role or already operating at that level. You bring strong technical knowledge, combined with a practical understanding of plant systems, and thrive in an environment where safety and performance are paramount.
You’re confident taking ownership, making sound engineering decisions, and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders. Whether it’s interpreting safety cases, supporting maintenance strategies, or guiding less experienced engineers, you bring both technical credibility and a supportive, team-focused approach.
- A minimum HNC or HND (or equivalent) in engineering, ideally supported by a degree in a relevant discipline
- Proven experience in a mechanical engineering role within industrial, process, or plant environments
- Understanding of plant operations, maintenance, and system performance management, ideally within nuclear or similar regulated industries
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence, mentor, and contribute across multi-disciplinary teams
Some reasons we think you'll love it here
To learn more about NRS and the work we do, we invite you to explore our organisation by visiting Nuclear Restoration Services - GOV.UK. It’s a great way to discover our mission, our people, and the impact we deliver
Please note: All successful candidates will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.
At NRS, we value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. We want to ensure you feel supported throughout the application process and provide reasonable adjustments where necessary and requested. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of your application or interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
We offer flexibility on base location for multi-site roles and are happy to discuss flexible working options.
Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible