Process Operations Engineer in Abingdon

The salary for this role is £35,003 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. This role can be based at any of the following sites: 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.

Responsibilities

• As a Process Operations Engineer within the H3AT Tritium Services Group, you will play a key role in the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of tritium processing facilities that support the development of first-generation fusion power plants.
• You will contribute to functional and development activities that validate system design, performance, and operating parameters for future fusion facilities, while helping ensure the safe recycling of tritium and detritiation of exhaust from the JET Fusion Reactor.
• Working within a collaborative and technically rigorous environment, you will help deliver high-quality engineering solutions that support the commercialisation of fusion energy.
• Support the operation, maintenance, training, and long-term development of process plant systems.
• Prepare Work Control Packs (WCPs), including Risk Assessments (RAs) and Method Statements (MSs), for work involving tritium containment systems.
• Identify and implement improvements to process plant systems, maintenance activities, and operational practices.
• Maintain system records and design documentation, including manuals, maintenance history, P&IDs, and associated technical documents.
• Support system testing and commissioning activities, ensuring compliance with UKAEA policies and relevant safety regulations.
• Assist in delivering work packages safely, on time, and within budget.
• Promote a strong Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) culture aligned with UKAEA requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with staff and subcontractors to support operational activities.
• Communicate technical information through presentations, reports, and day-to-day engagement with teams.

Qualifications

• Essential: Qualified to HNC/Degree level (or equivalent) in an engineering or scientific discipline and/or prior experience in the design, commissioning and/or operation of experimental equipment and/or plant.
• Demonstrable experience with document management systems and/or technical control documentation.
• Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good planning, organising and time management skills including the ability to prioritise the workload.

• Desirable: Understanding of radioactive materials or other hazardous materials including procedural and safety requirements.
• Experience of supervising work.
• Experience of quality management systems in a technical environment.

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, 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. UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukaea.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.