Senior Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon

Senior Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon

Abingdon Full-Time 48231 - 58949 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative projects in designing advanced robotic systems for fusion energy.
  • Company: Join UKAEA, a leader in clean energy and fusion technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension scheme, flexible working, and 25 days annual leave.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality in STEM.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of energy while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Mechanical engineering degree or equivalent experience in complex electro-mechanical systems.

The predicted salary is between 48231 - 58949 £ per year.

  • Senior Mechanical Engineer
  • Overview of Responsibilities

Fusion is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements.

Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

About the job

Join UKAEA’s RACE team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer, where you’ll provide technical leadership in the design and delivery of advanced remote handling systems for fusion and non‑fusion applications.

Working across multidisciplinary engineering projects, you’ll apply your expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, develop innovative robotic solutions and help deliver technologies that operate safely in some of the world’s most demanding environments.

We are looking for someone with experience in the design, assessment and delivery of complex electro‑mechanical or equivalent systems, including design management, team coordination, and design substantiation using hand calculations and finite element analysis.

  • What You’ll be Doing
  • Lead and coordinate complex engineering projects, providing technical direction and specialist expertise in remote handling technologies.
  • Design and develop advanced electro‑mechanical, robotic and remote handling systems from concept through to detailed design.
  • Apply systems engineering principles to define requirements, verify designs and ensure successful system integration and delivery.
  • Produce and review technical documentation, specifications and engineering designs, while setting standards, sharing knowledge and mentoring colleagues.
  • Support the procurement, manufacture, quality assurance, testing, commissioning and maintenance of robotic and remote handling equipment.
  • Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and, where required, supervise and develop technical staff.
  • What You’ll Bring
  • Engineering council‑recognised mechanical engineering degree or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in design and delivery of complex electro‑mechanical or equivalent devices/systems.
  • Experience in managing designs and design teams.
  • Experience in design substantiation analysis using hand calculation or finite element techniques.
  • Competent in generating technical documents and specifications.
  • Ability to work as part of a larger team or group.

Desirable

  • Experience in using CATIA v5.
  • Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership with a professional engineering institution.

Benefits

  • Salary of £57,117 inclusive of a £5,800 specialist allowance.
  • Up to 7% corporate performance bonus.
  • Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer contribution.
  • 25 days annual leave, 2.5 privilege days and 8 Bank Holidays.
  • 3 days of site closure over Christmas break.
  • Flexible working options plus family‑friendly leave provisions.
  • Working Conditions

UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs.

The role is based at the following site: Culham, Oxfordshire.

Employees are required to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal.

We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

All appointments are made on merit.

Further information can be found here.

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Senior Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon employer: Fusion Energy Base

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Culham site where innovation meets collaboration in the field of fusion technology. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, access to cutting-edge research, and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects that have a global impact. With a flexible/hybrid working model, a supportive culture, and a commitment to employee well-being, UKAEA stands out as a rewarding place for those passionate about advancing sustainable energy solutions.

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Contact Details:

Fusion Energy Base Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon

Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events

Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Fusion Energy Base.

Connect with Professors & Peers

Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!

Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience

When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Fusion Energy Base love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Fusion Energy Base and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon

Technical Leadership
Design Management
Electro-Mechanical Systems Design
Robotic Systems Development
Systems Engineering Principles
Finite Element Analysis
Hand Calculations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!

Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.

Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!

Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Fusion Energy Base and the Senior Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fusion Energy Base

Brush Up on Your CAD Skills

Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Fusion Energy Base.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!

Show Your Team Spirit

As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Fusion Energy Base.

Discuss Your Future Goals

Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Fusion Energy Base, making you a more appealing candidate.