Rolls-Royce SMR

A UK company designing factory-built small nuclear power stations, chosen to deliver the UK's first small modular reactors at Wylfa.

About Rolls-Royce SMR

Rolls-Royce SMR is developing small modular reactors: smaller nuclear power stations built largely in a factory and then assembled on site. The design is a 470 MW reactor. In April 2026 it signed a contract with Great British Energy - Nuclear to start work on three units at Wylfa on Anglesey, North Wales.

The company says its aim is to deliver new nuclear power with a radically different approach, using proven technology in a fully integrated, factory-built plant, for clean and affordable energy for all. Chief executive Chris Cholerton said the contract unlocks the delivery of the first three units at Wylfa.

Its apprenticeship story in July 2025 named Derby, Warrington and Manchester as locations. The main project site is Wylfa in North Wales. A final investment decision on the project is still to come, so timings can change.

The company says it encourages people to grow into leadership and welcomes school leavers and career changers (company claims). Early-career staff can join inclusion networks such as BETA (early careers) and REACH.

This is one of the clearer routes. Its early careers page lists apprenticeships at Levels 3 to 7, including a nuclear engineering degree apprenticeship, and graduate roles. Opportunities for September 2027 are due to be advertised in February 2027, and a July 2025 article described a second apprentice intake across supply chain, project management, manufacturing, IT and HR (as at 2025).

What they do

• {'desc': 'A factory-built nuclear power station design.', 'title': 'Small modular reactor design'}
• {'desc': 'Three units planned on Anglesey, subject to a final decision.', 'title': 'Wylfa project'}
• {'desc': 'Levels 3 to 7 apprenticeships and graduate jobs.', 'title': 'Apprenticeships and graduate roles'}

Key facts

• Contract to start work on three units at Wylfa, April 2026
• Apprenticeship locations: Derby, Warrington, Manchester (July 2025)
• Apprenticeships at Levels 3 to 7
• September 2027 early careers roles advertised from February 2027

Website: www.rolls-royce-smr.com