Location
Bootle, with flexibility to work from Cheltenham or London offices. Hybrid working available with a mix of office and home working. Some travel required across the UK and occasionally abroad, including overnight stays.

Hours
Full time, flexible working arrangements in place to support collaboration and wellbeing.

Salary
£100,032 per annum, with eligibility for a relocation package up to £15,000.

About the Role
As the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) plays a vital role in protecting society by securing safe operations at nuclear facilities nationwide. This role is critical to the decarbonisation of the UK’s economy, national defence, and the decommissioning of the nuclear legacy. A career with ONR offers the opportunity to lead and shape the future use of nuclear technology.

As a Chemical Engineering Nuclear Safety Inspector, you will be part of a specialist team addressing process and chemical engineering issues and hazards associated with the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of a wide range of nuclear facilities, including civilian and defence sectors. These include fuel enrichment and production, reactor design and operation, decommissioning, waste treatment, and long-term storage and disposal of waste and spent fuel.

Your responsibilities will vary and may include planned and reactive site inspections, assessment of safety submissions, managing intervention projects, conducting investigations, managing research projects, and mentoring future inspectors. You will make expert judgements on optioneering, unit operations, operational parameters, and chemical and radiological hazards.

ONR operates hybrid working and expects regular office attendance to support team collaboration. A full UK driving licence is required unless reasonable adjustments are made under the Equality Act 2010.

Security Clearance
The successful candidate must hold or be able to obtain and retain National Security Vetting clearance at SC level.

Experience
- Knowledge and experience applying chemical engineering principles to the design, operation, or decommissioning of nuclear or other high-hazard facilities.
- Experience with chemical engineering hazards and safety submissions, including hazard management strategies such as HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL.
- Knowledge related to storage, treatment, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel, radioactive waste, or equivalent high-hazard toxic materials.
- Familiarity with nuclear or high hazard facilities such as pressurised water reactors, advanced gas cooled reactors, or high hazard processing plants.
- Ability to assimilate, analyse, and provide clear judgements on complex technical issues.
- Strong communication, decision-making, and influencing skills with a risk-based approach to prioritising work.

About You
You may have experience in the nuclear sector or an alternative high hazard industry. However, applicants from non-nuclear backgrounds are welcome and will undertake a structured nuclear training programme to reach Nuclear Safety Inspector level (with an alternative salary range during training). You must be committed to ONR’s values of supportiveness, open-mindedness, fairness, and accountability, and be willing to work inclusively within diverse teams.

Qualifications
- Degree level qualification or equivalent in chemical engineering or a related discipline.
- Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or the ability to demonstrate performance and/or experience at an equivalent professional level.