Engineer - Controls Engineering in York

Engineer - Controls Engineering in York

York Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Oxford Ionics

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support critical facilities operations in cutting-edge quantum technology environments.
  • Company: Join Oxford Ionics, a leader in quantum computing innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, flexible working, and generous leave.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Why this job: Be part of a transformative team shaping the future of quantum technology.
  • Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we are building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve.

We are seeking a Senior Facilities Engineer to support the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of critical facilities infrastructure across laboratory, cleanroom, and technical manufacturing environments. This is a hands-on, front-line role responsible for executing day-to-day facilities operations, owning routine compliance tasks, and maintaining control of site activities. The role is expected to take direct ownership of facilities issues, ensuring they are managed through to resolution.

The position works closely with the Head of Facilities and is critical in ensuring that compliance, contractor control, and system reliability do not rely on a single point of failure.

Responsibilities include:

  • Carrying out planned preventative and reactive maintenance across HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support the reliable operation of critical utilities.
  • Acting as a first responder to facilities faults and system issues, taking ownership through to resolution by performing fault finding, diagnostics, and escalation where required.
  • Completion of routine compliance activities while ensuring effective system performance, reliability, and safety across site operations.
  • Conducting fire alarm and life safety testing, Legionella control checks (L8), safety inspections, and basic statutory checks.
  • Maintaining accurate, audit-ready records at all times, supporting audits and ensuring documentation remains complete, well-structured, and easily accessible.
  • Managing and controlling contractor activities on site, ensuring RAMS are reviewed, understood, and followed correctly.
  • Ensuring all associated documentation, certification, and completion records are captured accurately.
  • Supporting facilities operations across laboratory, ISO cleanroom, and technical manufacturing environments.
  • Assisting with the installation, relocation, and setup of equipment and infrastructure.
  • Raising, tracking, and closing work orders using the CMMS system while maintaining accurate asset registers and maintenance records.
  • Responding to facilities incidents such as power loss, leaks, and system failures, taking ownership through to resolution or escalation as needed.
  • Supporting emergency response procedures, business continuity activities, and participating in an on-call rota where required.
  • Carrying out minor repairs and general fabric maintenance across the site.
  • Supporting goods-in, logistics activities, and equipment movement when required.
  • Maintaining stock levels of critical spares and consumables.
  • Supporting flexible day-to-day facilities and site operations to ensure continuity and efficiency.

Requirements:

To be successful in this role, you will need an NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds qualification, HNC, or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services, alongside 3-5 years of experience within high-tech, laboratory, cleanroom, semiconductor, manufacturing, or similarly regulated environments. We are looking for someone with a strong working knowledge of MEP systems and building services, experience using CMMS systems, and a solid understanding of UK compliance frameworks, including L8, fire safety, and health & safety regulations.

You will need to be confident interpreting technical drawings, SOPs, and specifications, while supporting critical laboratory and manufacturing operations where uptime, reliability, and compliance are essential.

You'd be a great fit with:

  • Experience supporting cleanroom (ISO 58) environments.
  • Experience with PCW / CHW systems or critical cooling infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with BMS platforms (e.g. Trend, Tridium Niagara).
  • IOSH qualification or equivalent.
  • Experience working in audit-driven environments (GLP / GMP).

Additional experience that would be beneficial includes working within laboratory and cleanroom environments while following gowning and contamination control procedures, participating in on-call support and occasional out-of-hours or weekend working, and demonstrating a strong safety mindset with the confidence to challenge unsafe acts and ensure compliance across critical facilities infrastructure and operations.

Benefits:

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role; you’ll join a world-class community of scientists, engineers, and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing. We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Engineer - Controls Engineering in York employer: Oxford Ionics

At Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, we are at the forefront of quantum computing innovation, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and creativity. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities for career advancement alongside industry leaders, competitive salaries with stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible working arrangements and private medical insurance. Join us in shaping the future of technology while being part of a diverse and inclusive team dedicated to making a real-world impact.

Oxford Ionics

Contact Details:

Oxford Ionics Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineer - Controls Engineering in York

Get Involved in Control Systems Communities

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Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops

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We think you need these skills to ace Engineer - Controls Engineering in York

Mechanical Systems Knowledge
Electrical Systems Knowledge
Building Services Expertise
HVAC Systems Maintenance
Plumbing Systems Maintenance
CMMS System Proficiency
Compliance Framework Understanding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Engineer - Controls Engineering role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.

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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at Oxford Ionics. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.

Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at Oxford Ionics.

How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Ionics

Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts

Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.

Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools

Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.

Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios

We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at Oxford Ionics.

Show Your Passion for Engineering

As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at Oxford Ionics.