Job Description

We are currently seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join the Decommissioning market within our Nuclear EMEA business. As part of the Systems Engineering Team, you will be responsible for applying Systems Engineering processes, methods and tools to a wide variety of projects across our nuclear decommissioning portfolio while also assisting in the continual development of our capability. Ideally, candidates will be based in our existing locations in Sheffield and Birmingham, although candidates wishing to work from our Manchester office will also be considered. Our market provides our clients with sustainable engineered solutions to plant life extension, waste retrieval as well as dismantling and demolition problems across the full project life cycle including commissioning and operation. We can offer our own products and technology to provide innovative solutions the accelerate the pace of change and provide resource augmentation to support our clients and partners. Successful candidates will have a proven track record in Systems Engineering delivery, ideally as a Systems Engineering Lead on one or more projects, and will work as part of the Systems Engineering team under the direction of the Systems Engineering Capability Lead to continue to develop the growing Systems Engineering capability within our market. This will also include supporting projects from across the wider Nuclear EMEA business. Our main services include requirements management, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), interface management, and verification & validation.


Alongside Systems Engineering, we have strong capabilities in the design, assessment and substantiation of structures, machinery, mechanical handling equipment, low voltage electrical systems as well as control and instrumentation systems. We tackle projects that have varied technical challenges and significant nuclear and conventional safety hazards. Our projects require proactive and collaborative working to brilliantly engineer a cleaner, safer, net zero world.


We continually invest in our people, technology, working facilities and supporting resources to ensure that we strengthen and grow our current capabilities as well as develop new capabilities. This allows us to deliver projects using industry leading and innovative techniques, such as utilising our growing technology solutions and robotics capabilities and showing that our solutions work through active demonstrators.

Your Purpose:

You will define and implement an appropriate Systems Engineering strategy for projects ranging from small, single system element designs to extremely large, complex capability/facility designs. This will include producing the necessary Systems Engineering deliverables, commonly as the sole Systems Engineering representative on a project. You will also act as an advocate for the Systems Engineering capability through developing commercial opportunities, advocating for further Systems Engineering engagement on existing jobs where appropriate and educating and informing both internal colleagues and external clients to help further understanding and encourage adoption of Systems Engineering. You will frequently work in an environment where the client and/or colleagues are not fully familiar with the adoption of Systems Engineering and where not all processes have been defined. You will routinely act as a Systems Engineering Technical Lead for more junior Systems Engineers. Our Systems Engineering capability is still fairly young, having been set up in May 2025, but is quickly becoming established within the Nuclear EMEA business with increasing requests for input into projects and a continually developing set of processes, owned and developed by the Systems Engineering team. Consequently, responsibilities will include supporting new and ongoing projects while also developing and formalising best practise into processes. This will therefore come with an opportunity to contribute to shaping business-wide policy. Responsibilities may also include supporting bid teams in winning work where Systems Engineering is an aspect of the proposal(s).

The Individual:

The ideal candidate should have extensive demonstrable experience of applying Systems Engineering techniques and a Systems Engineering led approach to design. More specifically, you should have experience with numerous key Systems Engineering methodologies (e.g. architecture definition, Pugh matrix assessments for option evaluation and down-selection, interface management) as well as requirements management, structured verification and the use of requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS. Experience with MBSE tools such as Capella or Sparx EA is desirable as is experience and awareness of engineering lifecycles other than the waterfall/vee model. Successful applicants will be comfortable working with minimal outside support, often as the sole systems engineering representative on a given project and will have or be working towards, INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP, CSEP, ESEP) accreditations. You will be adaptable in your application of your experience and knowledge of systems engineering, being comfortable in applying it in multiple ways to allow for the differing approaches our clients may request in line with their own processes. This will also allow for easy adoption of AtkinsRealis N&P processes as they develop and change. You should be keen to join a capability at an early stage and to support the Systems Engineering Capability Lead in its development, bringing your experience and knowledge to assist in this. You should be adept at contributing to numerous projects at the same time. The capability is responsible for supporting an ever-growing number of projects across the whole Nuclear EMEA business, including in our other markets of Reactor Operations, Power New Build, Major Projects and more. It is therefore likely that you would support multiple projects as the demand for Systems Engineering varies throughout each project's lifecycle. You should also be experienced and comfortable with managing and developing more junior Systems Engineers, including developing their work scope and assignment of tasking. Direct experience of line management is also desirable. We are looking for an engineer who has proven experience and expertise in Systems Engineering to grow and develop our capability within our Decommissioning market. This capability complements our existing & well established core engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Civil & Structural, and Electrical, Control & Instrumentation) as well as our growing capabilities (Engineering Management, Technology Solutions, and Robotics).

What you can bring:

An innovator - You will encourage people to experiment, produce new ideas and challenge others to think and do things differently. You'll contribute to the definition of new ways of doing things and will be constantly looking for ways to improve how things are done, unafraid to challenge the norm. An Improver - You spend time on making the processes, methods and toolsets more efficient, optimising your resources and adjusting things to be leaner. Excellent team player - You are able to collaborate effectively with colleagues in multiple disciplines, technical and non-technical, to help integrate multi-disciplinary worksteams which are often present on our projects. An effective communicator - You are able to confidently explain how and why to apply Systems Engineering practises to a variety of individuals, including those with less knowledge, understanding or appreciation of the discipline, assisting them to see the value where they previously may not.

Why work for AtkinsRealis?

The UK is the first major economy to legislate for a Net Zero target by 2050. To achieve this, our Energy Teams are ensuring a mix of secure and sustainable energies that can meet our industry and lifestyle demands today, and in 30 years' time. We help to power our world through exciting new technologies and intelligent cybersecurity systems on projects that vary greatly in size, scope, and scale. So, you'll be creating the right safe and resilient systems across nuclear power, renewables, decarbonisation development, new builds and energy efficiency.


We value your diversity and believe that everyone deserves to thrive - no exceptions. You'll be part of a culture committed to finding new talent from underrepresented groups. We're Disability Confident, an Inclusive Employer, and support STEM Returners. We also want to see more women in senior roles at AtkinsRealis. In the energy sector, we've signed up to the AXIS Pledge, promising to make equal pay, equal leadership, and equal opportunities a reality.

Security clearance:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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