At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical engineering activities for the world's largest spherical tokamak, MAST-U.
- Company: Join the UK Atomic Energy Authority, a leader in fusion energy research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £64,820, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and accessibility.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on fusion power and contribute to groundbreaking research.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and experience in mechanical design and systems integration required.
The predicted salary is between 64820 - 64820 £ per year.
Overview of Responsibilities
The salary for this role is £64,820 (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. The role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.
The MAST-U is currently the largest operating spherical tokamak in the world, providing a facility on which to perform experiments to provide the answer to key questions for fusion power to be delivered to the grid. We are looking for a TOKAMAK Operations Engineer who will be contributing directly to several critical aspects of the MAST-Upgrade Operations & Machine Protection Working Group (MPWG) for MAST-U function: establishing and updating the Design Basis together with the Operational Envelope in an informed, controlled manner through identification and strategic mitigation of Technical Risk both on a proactive and reactive basis. You will also be working on development and effective implementation of appropriate Engineering Processes and Standards across UKAEA.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the execution of high profile mechanical engineering activities (including exploratory research, assessment of plant designs/modification and reactive/proactive issue resolution for operational plant) with particular emphasis on tasks requiring expertise in analyses ranging from first principles, numerical solutions and multi-disciplinary simulation use and development of computer aided engineering (CAE) tools to simulate design functionality and qualify performance.
- Manage schedules of reference calculation methods and tools for use in a fusion component design relevant benchmarking experiment, physical test or plant demonstration behaviour of complex/interacting plant systems impact of lifetime degradation effects.
- Define the MAST-U Operating Instructions (MOIs) with input from appropriate experts to ensure the availability of the machine for operations.
- Monitor MAST-U operations with respect to the MOIs to ensure that the operation of MAST-U does not impact on Personnel Safety, fatigue lifetime or integrity of the machine.
- Implement revisions to existing MOIs or introduce new ones as required.
- Diagnose and resolve issues of plant integrity and plant protection. Ensure that the operation of the experimental facilities has an appropriate balance between performance, reliability and lifetime.
- Identify improved ways of operating the research machines to enhance their performance within the existing capabilities of the available plant.
- Undertake technical investigations and assessments into design or operational issues.
- Undertake ‘fitness for purpose’ reviews.
- Technical Risk Assessment & Management for competing requirements (Reliability, Safety, Performance, Lifetime).
- Lead risk-based exceptions/tailored application based on a clear understanding of the rationale for the rules.
- Subject matter expert for specific regulations. Author of compliance processes or procedures within a diverse business; Member of relevant industry working groups and standards development organisations, etc.
- Working with and interpreting between multiple engineering disciplines.
Salary
£64,820 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.
Qualifications
- Engineering Degree at BSc/MSc level and higher or equivalent.
- 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.
- Demonstrable mechanical engineering design experience with mechanical and electrical machinery, electromagnetics, structural integrity and with ultra-high-vacuum equipment.
- Demonstrable mechanical engineering manufacturing experience.
- Demonstrable ‘Systems integration’ experience in design and construction, both general (the efficient matching of diverse engineering systems in a large complex project) and specific (the detail engineering of interfaces).
- Practical technical experience of operating complex prototype equipment.
- Some experience in one or more of the following areas: Tokamak system technologies, Control and instrumentation, Elementary plasma physics, Cryogenics.
Additional Information
A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/. 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. UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to inclusive recruitment and actively promotes diversity within our organisation.
TOKAMAK Operations Engineer in Abingdon employer: Fusion Energy Base
At UK Atomic Energy Authority, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that fosters professional growth and development. Our employees benefit from a competitive salary, outstanding pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements, all while contributing to groundbreaking research in fusion energy at our state-of-the-art facility in Culham, Oxfordshire. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions and making a meaningful impact on the future of power generation.
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