Mechanical Engineer - Load Assembly Group
Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
Full-time
Department: Mast-U Operations
Salary: £36,397 to £52,293 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Confirmed Grade: Level 4 / Level 5
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

The MAST Upgrade Tokamak is the UK Fusion Research Programme’s leading plasma physics experiment. It has ties to numerous UK & International Universities and Fusion Laboratories throughout the world. The experiment is investigating key physics and engineering issues related to the production of commercial fusion energy and performs real-time control the shape and the density of the incredibly hot plasma.

As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being: Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.

Job Description

Who are we looking for?

The Mast-U department is currently looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join their team of scientists and engineers. You will be providing engineering services and assisting in the delivery of the projects within the department. This will include the assembly, commissioning, operating and maintenance of a wide range of programs working within a tight deadline.

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will produce technical reports and ensure adherence to design standards. You will Act as a Responsible Officer (RO) for the organisation on specific MAST-U load assembly systems and subsystems.

You will need to be a qualified member of an Engineering Institution or have obtained a relevant engineering degree, with excellent communication and technical writing skills.

What you will be responsible for?

- Providing engineering expertise for key MAST-U systems and subsystems from concept to detailed design including operations, repair, replacement or upgrade activities
- Performing engineering analyses using classic and numerical methods to confirm that the design will meet the required standard, working with engineering analysts and subject matter experts as necessary, and ensure appropriate adherence to international and fusion-specific design standards
- Participating in engineering projects and on-site repair, maintenance and upgrade programs, individually or as part of a team and manage their work to fit with the timescales and performance requirements specific
- Delivering projects to the satisfaction of the Customer (internal or external) within the imposed constraints
- Producing technical reports and departmental notes where relevant
- Supervising junior engineers and students, providing them with challenging projects, monitoring their progress and providing constructive feedback

Qualifications

Essential Criteria and Qualifications:

- Experience in a high-tech mechanical environment
- Ability to perform exploratory design calculations using first principles
- Proven capability in engineering analysis and a good working knowledge of engineering materials and their properties
- Good working knowledge of structural and thermal engineering, solid mechanics and engineering materials
- Experience with working to design standards
- A relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience

Desirable Criteria and Qualifications:

- Leading teams and supervising other staff
- Experience in a high-tech (Fusion) mechanical environment
- Experience with relevant environmental factors such as vacuum and transient magnetic fields
- Knowledge of modern manufacturing techniques
- Experience in managing projects in a scientific environment
- Chartered Status with relevant Engineering Institutes (preferably IMechE)

Additional Information

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 28/12/2022. We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance - The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK Government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.