Michael Hodgson

Lead Engineer at Rolls-Royce SMR

Greater Guildford Area, United Kingdom

About

Practical and hands-on engineering physicist, driving innovation in commercial, academic, research and highly regulated sectors. Experienced in detectors and sensing instrumentation for alpha, beta, x-ray, gamma and neutron detection, including: Geiger-Muller tubes, proportional counters, ionisation chambers, fission chambers, scintillators and semiconductor detectors. Successfully operated in Management, Business Development, Project Leadership, Innovation, Engineering and Quality roles, reporting directly to the executive teams. Award winning communicator, author and trainer, across a spectrum of audiences and experience levels.

Experience

  • Lead Engineer at Rolls-Royce SMR
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    Technical and scientific authority for sensing components and nucleonic detectors used in the control and instrumentation for the Rolls-Royce SMR nuclear power reactor.

  • Consultant at Becq
    Jan 2012 - Present · 14 yrs 6 mos

    Science and engineering consultancy, providing technical, quality and operations experience on: - detectors, sensors and instrumentation; - research and development; - radiological management; - control and instrumentation; - highly regulated industries (e.g. nuclear, defence, aerospace)

  • Senior Scientific Officer - Business Developmet at Exosens
    Aug 2024 - Jul 2025 · 1 yr

    Working for Centronic, as part of the Exosens group.

  • Centronic Limited (Full-time · 10 yrs 6 mos)
    • Senior Scientific Officer - Business Development
      Jun 2019 - Jul 2025 · 6 yrs 2 mos

      - Worked within highly regulated industries, including nuclear, defence, and aerospace - Main physics design authority for alpha, beta, x-ray, gamma and neutron detectors, including: Geiger-Muller tubes, proportional counters, ionisation chambers, fission chambers and semiconductor detectors. - Provided engineering support on CAD design, documentation, manufacturing and testing, all under high levels of configuration control - Commercial lead on high value projects (25% annual turnover) - Project leader on high value and key customer contracts - Managed test, manufacturing, technical and sales engineers, as well as primary coordinator for placement students - Supported quality on audits, customer inspections and integration of key industry standards (e.g. NQA-1, ISO 19443, RCC, HAF604, CSA/CZA etc) - Operated at senior leadership level and reported directly to Chief Executive Officer - Innovation and continuous improvement lead on key product lines, as well as internal business initiatives - In Business Development role, grown nuclear side of business from 10% coverage of accessible customer base to 100%.

    • Technical Manager
      Mar 2017 - Jun 2019 · 2 yrs 4 mos

    • Design and Development Engineer - Nuclear
      Feb 2015 - Mar 2017 · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • University of Surrey (Greater Guildford Area, United Kingdom)
    • PhD Researcher
      Jan 2012 - Dec 2014 · 3 yrs

      Researching radiation hard semiconductor neutron radiation detectors (silicon carbide and diamond) for security applications, in conjunction with UK defence contractor. Key outcomes include: - Design, setup and conduct, characterization and radiological testing of semiconductor radiation detectors. - Identify and implement testing at external and independent test facilities. - Analysis of data, including spectroscopic identification. - Propose novel research in the field of radiation detection. - Fabrication of semiconductor radiation detectors, including clean room work and practices. - Help develop research collaborations and links between industry and academia. - Multiple publications, including an award winning article

    • SEPnet Outreach Demonstrator
      Jan 2012 - Nov 2014 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Outreach sessions in Schools and Colleges as part of the SEPnet, primarily covering "Radiation & Radioactivity".

    • Tutor & Demonstrator
      Jan 2012 - Nov 2014 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Tutor for Undergraduate and MSc tutorial sessions and Laboratory Demonstrator for MSc courses.