NDE Research and Development Engineer

Job Description
NDE Research and Development Engineer (NDT) - Submarines
Full Time
Derby
NDE Research and Development Engineer opportunity with Rolls Royce Submarines. The NDE R&D Engineer will focus on research and integration of future technologies across the Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) sector.

As part of the team, you will support current research programs as well as investigate and develop new capability, tools, and methods. This allows for the opportunity to work with industrial and academic partners, national and internationally, directly as well as through conferences and research communities. The importance of this role hinges around how we can change the ways of working within the NDE / NDT sector.

Why Rolls-Royce?
Rolls-Royce is one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. We design, build and service systems that provide critical power to customers where safety and reliability are paramount.

We are proud to be a force for progress, powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

We want to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that has shaped our history continues into our future, and we need people like you to come and join us on this journey.

This role is situated within the NDE Research and Technology teams that belongs to the Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Services (IMRS) department.

We'll provide an environment of caring and belonging where you can be yourself. An inclusive, innovative culture that invests in you, gives you access to an incredible breadth and depth of opportunities where you can grow your career and make a difference.

This role focuses on the research, development and integration of new and novel NDE technologies, therefore facilitating networking across our industrial and academic partners, as well as investigating technologies at conferences nationally and internationally. The work allows for the significant development of technical knowledge around NDE techniques and technologies and the associated physics principals, through training courses, working groups or seminars. Development of knowledge and capability within the team is vitally important to the work being completed and therefore support is given to individuals development including chartership and training.

What We Offer
We offer excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

What You Will Be Doing
With the opportunity to work within the NDE R&T team you will join us in:

• The development of NDE modelling capability, utilising scripting languages (MATLAB, Python), and commercial modelling tools (CIVA, Ansys, Pogo and Abaqus).
• Deployment of fully automated NDE systems, with the use of 2-7 axis robotics and the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), utilising internal capability (MATLAB and Python) or industrial partners.
• Investigating Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), utilising a suite of novel techniques and new technologies.
• Scoping of new and novel NDE Techniques, through academic and industrial contacts as well as the completion of literature and technology reviews.
• Design and support of high integrity inspection development and qualification.

Who We're Looking For
At Rolls-Royce we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form the behaviours that guide us and are an essential component of our assessment process. They are the fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

To succeed in the NDE R&T team you will need to:

• Be willing to take technical leadership and accountability of one or more projects, including planning and budgeting ensuring the delivery of projects are to time, cost and quality.
• Experience with at least one scripting language (eg MATLAB, Python, C, etc.).
• The ability to produce clear, concise, and accurate technical reports.
• The ability to work in a highly technical environment, in multidisciplinary teams and to tight deadlines.
• Show curiosity for how NDE techniques are currently completed and how they may change and improve in the future.
• A degree in physics, mechanical engineering, or another relevant STEM discipline.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives which are crucial to innovation and problem solving. We believe the more diverse perspectives we have, the more successful we'll be. By building a culture of caring and belonging, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.

You can learn more about our global Inclusion strategy at Our people | Rolls-Royce

To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines business an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.

Job Category
Engineering Materials

Posting Date
08 Dec 2025; 00:12

Posting End Date
15 Dec 2025