Band 3 Inspector for Nuclear Safety

Job Overview

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) operates as an independent entity, affiliated with the Department of Work and Pensions.

Career Opportunity

As the UK's dedicated nuclear regulatory authority, our mission is essential for ensuring the safety and security of our nation. We safeguard society by overseeing safe operations at nuclear facilities throughout the country.

This position is pivotal to the UK's efforts in decarbonisation, national defence, and the decommissioning of our nuclear heritage. A career with ONR offers you the chance to influence and shape the future application of nuclear technology in our society.

Role Responsibilities

As an inspector, your responsibilities will be diverse, and you may engage in various roles within the sector; from overseeing the construction of new nuclear facilities to managing the decommissioning of older sites. Some inspectors focus on conducting planned and reactive site inspections, while others evaluate safety submissions or lead specific intervention projects. There may also be opportunities to carry out investigations, manage research initiatives, and mentor the next generation of inspectors.

As a Control and Instrumentation (C&I) specialist inspector, you will assess and inspect the adequacy of the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and operation of C&I systems necessary for effective risk management. While you will be expected to take initiative in your work, you will collaborate with a robust team of C&I specialists who possess extensive knowledge and experience, which is shared openly. We also encourage you to contribute your expertise to enhance our technical and regulatory capabilities.

The C&I specialization fosters a culture that values constructive challenge as a crucial element in making sound decisions and enhancing technical and regulatory proficiency at all levels. By maintaining an open-minded and adaptable approach, C&I specialists work together to embrace innovative methods, situations, and technologies to make and communicate effective decisions based on logical reasoning, even in complex scenarios. This aspect of the role is particularly rewarding and can lead to meaningful engagement with a wide array of stakeholders, including nuclear site licensees, professional institutions, other regulatory bodies, and international standards organizations, to collaboratively develop standards and guidance.

Management Responsibilities

Currently, there are no direct line management responsibilities; however, there may be an expectation to manage staff at this level in the future.

Join Our Team

Our workforce comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique experiences and career paths to ONR. We seek the most qualified candidates for our roles. As an inclusive employer, we value diversity in all forms, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Our principles of being supportive, open-minded, fair, and accountable are fundamental to our operations. We strive to build capability, resilience, and promote well-being within our teams, underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and excellence.

Candidate Profile / Requirements

Qualifications

We expect all Nuclear Safety Inspectors to possess:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent in a relevant field, or the ability to demonstrate performance and experience at a comparable professional level;
• Chartered membership of a pertinent professional institution, or the ability to demonstrate performance and/or experience at an equivalent professional level.

Essential Skills / Experience

• Experience in nuclear or other high-hazard facilities, specifically in the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of C&I safety systems as outlined in BS IEC 61513 or BS IEC 61508;
• Industrial experience related to the above, particularly in the application and use of software-based systems and/or systems utilizing complex programmable logic devices, requiring substantial knowledge of software and/or hardware techniques;
• Understanding of the specific challenges in achieving and demonstrating specified Safety Integrity Levels for computer-based systems, along with experience in applying techniques to justify the safety of complex C&I systems;
• Familiarity with one or more nuclear or high-hazard facilities, such as pressurized water reactors, advanced gas-cooled reactors, or high-hazard processing plants;
• The ability to assimilate, analyze, and provide judgments on new and complex technical issues clearly and concisely;
• Strong communication, decision-making, and influencing skills, with the capacity to view the broader context and prioritize work based on risk.

While experience in the nuclear sector or an alternative high-hazard industry is preferred, we are open to considering candidates from non-nuclear/non-high hazard backgrounds who would undertake a structured nuclear training program to achieve Nuclear Safety Inspector status (subject to an alternative salary range during training).

Commitment to Inclusion

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We also offer guaranteed interviews to disabled individuals who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme.

We recognize our responsibility to assist those transitioning from the Armed Forces and have a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. We provide interviews to Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme, provided they have served for at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve) and are in transition from, or have ceased to be a member of, His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain National Security Vetting clearance at SC level.

Location / Travel Requirements

This position may be based at any ONR office location. The role requires some travel, including overnight stays primarily within the United Kingdom and occasionally abroad.

A full driving license permitting the holder to drive in the UK is required unless reasonable adjustments can be made under the Equality Act 2010.

ONR supports hybrid working arrangements, allowing for a combination of office and remote work as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation for all employees to spend some time in the office regularly, recognizing that certain tasks are more effectively conducted face-to-face. Managers will work with their teams to determine the best approach to meet individual, team, business, and organizational needs while balancing personal choice and well-being.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, ONR contributes towards membership in the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Employees receive an annual leave allowance of 25 days plus 8 public holidays, with an additional privilege day. Annual leave increases by one day each year, up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Tailored learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working options
• A culture that promotes inclusion and diversity
• A civil service pension