Classifications
Senior Engineer Chemical
Are you a driven chemical engineer who thrives on solving complex challenges? Do you get energised by the idea of shaping safety, design, and engineering strategies that make a real impact? If you're looking for a role where no two days are the same, where your expertise truly matters, and where your work strengthens the safety and performance of a nationally significant site then keep reading.
We have vacancies where you’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive design team responsible for delivering high‑value process engineering and process safety solutions. Within the engineering and technology team your role will be to ensure Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) and Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) compliance is adhered to while contributing to technical governance across major engineering projects. As part of the Fuel Cycle Area (FCA) team you will be:
- Providing oversight of complex, technical and radiologically challenging projects
- Working in support of a number of reprocessing plants, with focus on liquor transfer, ion exchange, chemical washout techniques
- Developing novel and innovative solutions to complex problems
- Providing mentoring, coaching and support to developing engineers
What you'll do:
As a Senior Chemical Engineer, you will play a pivotal part in driving engineering quality, safety, and innovation across the site. Your work will include:
- Development and execution of engineering, safety case and technical governance strategies, ensuring they meet evolving project needs
- Applying and championing robust health, safety, environmental and waste management practices across all engineering activities
- Managing the preparation, approval and maintenance of technical specifications and design authority arrangements
- Liaising with regulators, stakeholders and project teams to validate engineering solutions, maintain compliance and support successful project delivery
What you'll bring:
We’re looking for someone technically strong, highly motivated and ready to influence complex engineering outcomes. You’ll stand out if you have:
- A degree in Chemical Engineering plus demonstrable experience in a relevant engineering environment, with IChemE membership or equivalent
- Hands‑on experience supporting modifications and safety case assessments, including familiarity with LOPA, SIL assessments, and wider process safety methodologies
- Strong design capability with confidence participating in design reviews and interpreting PFDs, P&IDs, system engineering, and all key design stages
- Proven ability to engage regulators and stakeholders, develop engineering strategies, validate technical work, and drive compliant and fit‑for‑purpose engineering delivery
- Post specific capability analysis assessment
Step Up in Your Career - Internal Opportunity
We welcome all internal colleagues to apply, whether you’re ready for a move or just curious about the opportunity.
It is the applicants responsibility to inform their line manager of their application and we encourage informal conversations before applying - to discuss the role speak to your current Line Manager, HR Manager or Hiring Managers, Mike Potts (Engineering & Technology): mike.potts@dounreay.nrservices.uk or Andrew Calder (FCA): email: andrew.calder@dounreay.nrservices.uk
If you’re part of the NDA Group, please refer to the Mobility Principles for guidance on how a move into NRS can be facilitated - visit What is Mobility at the NDA group?
Some reasons we think you'll love it here:
Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance 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.