At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical design for microwave-based fusion systems in a pioneering energy project.
- Company: Join the UK Atomic Energy Authority, a leader in fusion energy engineering.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, outstanding pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of energy while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree, chartered status, and extensive experience in complex projects required.
The predicted salary is between 71815 - 71815 £ per year.
The salary for this role is £71,815 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension. Onsite working is expected for 3 days a week, however we actively support requests for flexible working. This role is based in Culham, Oxfordshire. This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.
This role is based in the Engineering Future Projects Group, where you will be deployed into the pioneering Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) Programme. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer within STEP, you will lead the mechanical design, integration, and delivery of cutting‑edge microwave-based fusion plasma heating and current‑drive systems. You will act as a senior technical authority, shaping mechanical architecture, driving innovation and ensuring robust performance under extreme loads. Working at the forefront of UK engineering, you will guide multidisciplinary teams, influence programme‑level decisions, and take novel concepts from early R&D through detail design and manufacture – directly contributing to the UK’s mission to deliver commercially viable fusion energy.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of major fusion sub‑systems, from concept through to detailed design, supporting UKAEA facilities and future programmes.
- Take responsibility for technical project delivery, including planning, resource coordination and risk management, working with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
- Define and deliver technical strategy within Microwave Heating & Current Drive and related technologies, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
- Identify capability gaps and lead targeted research and development activities to reduce risk and enhance engineering performance.
- Apply systems engineering principles to develop robust design solutions, including requirements definition, interface management and trade‑off analysis.
- Oversee the progression of designs through manufacture, installation and commissioning, including procurement and contract management, ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
- Provide technical leadership and assurance, including mentoring and developing colleagues, reviewing technical outputs and representing UKAEA in external collaborations.
Additional Responsibilities
- Manage projects or responsible contracts up to a value of £2M.
- Manage multi‑disciplinary project teams, including, for example, engineers at all levels, staff with technical expertise outside of the experience of the Job Holder, drawing office personnel, department technicians, and management of on‑site contractors and technicians.
- As part of your role you could be asked to work in radiation‑controlled areas or in beryllium‑controlled areas; full training and medical assessments will be provided if this is necessary.
Qualifications
- A relevant engineering degree or equivalent.
- Chartered status with a suitable professional institution.
- Extensive experience of complex engineering projects.
- Experience with fusion‑relevant environmental factors such as vacuum systems, particle loads, transient magnetic fields and irradiation damage.
- Ability to perform exploratory design calculations using first principles.
- Excellent knowledge of structural and thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, solid mechanics and engineering materials.
- Experience with working to design standards and design codes.
- Leading technical teams and supervising other staff.
- Good communication and technical writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Equal Opportunities
UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.
Principal Mechanical Engineer – Microwave Engineering in Abingdon employer: Fusion Energy Base
At UK Atomic Energy Authority, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary of £71,815 alongside outstanding benefits, including a remarkable pension scheme. Our work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, particularly within the dynamic environment of the Culham site, where employees are encouraged to engage in flexible working arrangements and contribute to groundbreaking projects in fusion energy. With ample opportunities for professional growth and development, you will be at the forefront of engineering advancements while making a meaningful impact on the future of sustainable energy.
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We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer – Microwave Engineering in Abingdon
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer – Microwave Engineering in Abingdon
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.
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Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Fusion Energy Base and the Principal Mechanical Engineer – Microwave Engineering 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.
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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.
