CfAI Senior Systems Engineer in North East

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‐term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us at e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.

The University at Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) is a major research group in the Department of Physics at Durham University with approximately seventy staff and research students. Developing state‐of‐the‐art instruments for use in astronomy, biophysics, remote sensing, fusion diagnostics and much more, CfAI undertakes a world‑leading programme of education and research with international impact, based on the development of novel instrumentation and cutting‑edge technologies with applications across a range of strategically important scientific areas of benefit to modern society.

We are seeking a systems engineer with proven systems engineering experience as an accomplished, practising Systems/Project Engineer to work on an opto‑mechanical ground‑based instrumentation project for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). In addition to being an accomplished design engineer in a primary engineering discipline (optical, mechanical, electronics, control, and/or software engineering), you will have proven experience of leading an international multidisciplinary engineering team. Typically, our projects involve international consortia, mainly based in Europe, and some level of domestic and international travel should be anticipated.

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will be a key player and will be part of the project management team. You will be responsible for the requirements engineering, the overall system architecture, the coordination of assembly, integration, verification, installation, commissioning and delivery of our astronomical and scientific products. Working as a senior member of the team, you will have the freedom to define, control and execute your own work plan without the need to be supervised and you will have many opportunities to innovate and develop new technical solutions, with considerable scope to be creative.

The preferred location for this role is at our Lower Mountjoy facility situated in Durham.

You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle‑to‑work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost‑effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. We provide wide‑ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state‑of‑the‑art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential, and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under‑represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there are any weighted criteria.

What you need to submit:

• A CV.
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all the criteria within the Person Specification.

To discuss the role or for any further information please contact Professor Tim Morris – t.j.morris@durham.ac.uk.

Responsibilities include:

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Develop and promote an in‑depth understanding of University policy and external developments relevant to your role.
• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by compliance with Project processes and standards that specific to the services you are responsible for.
• Use your professional knowledge and experience as a Senior Systems Engineer to translate system requirements and define test and verification plans and conduct system analysis and provide subject‑matter expertise and advice.
• Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.
• Responsible for operational activity across instrumentation projects.
• Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
• Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
• Implement and audit specialist risk assessments and safety procedures to ensure compliance with University and statutory regulations.
• Manage and monitor individual and overall health and safety assessments and procedures, ensuring compliance.

Teaching and Learning Support:

• Work within a teaching or research area of activity of national significance.
• Contribute expert advice and guidance, collaborating with peers and academics to deliver teaching and/or research outputs.
• Assess and design modifications and implement developments to deliver desired outputs.
• Lead, design and deliver practical workshops, teaching and training sessions.
• Ensure continuous improvement and knowledge base development for world‑class delivery.

Any other reasonable duties.