At a Glance
- Tasks: Own mechanical subsystems for particle accelerators from design to integration.
- Company: Join StandardX, a pioneering team building the UK's first isotope refinery.
- Benefits: Enjoy private health cover, life assurance, pension contributions, and share options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for rapid career growth in a cutting-edge field.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential technologies that shape our future.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical design, CAD software, and hands-on fabrication required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
About You
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will take full ownership of mechanical subsystems for our particle accelerator and target station hardware, carrying each project through design, analysis, manufacture, test and integration.
You think in CAD and calculations first, but you don't stop at the drawing board - when a design needs proving out, you're just as happy on the shop floor, working hands-on to build and validate your own hardware.
You are a generalist by nature, happy to move across the whole system rather than settle into one narrow piece of it, and you move with a sense of urgency, favouring building and testing over waiting for formal sign-off.
About Standard X
There is infrastructure that defines eras.
The steam engine made the industrial world possible.
The internet created an economy.
Standard X is building the next one.
Some of the most essential materials on Earth are also the rarest.
Isotopes are the invisible backbone of modern life - curing cancer, keeping industrial systems resilient and fuelling the fusion reactors that will power the next century.
Yet the infrastructure that produces them is ageing, fragmented and increasingly unable to keep up with demand.
We're a world-class team of nuclear engineers, deep tech operators and doctoral-level scientists building the UK's first isotope refinery: a single proprietary platform, deployable anywhere, producing the full portfolio of critical isotopes at scale - turning chronic scarcity into abundance.
Exceptional team. Massive problem. If you want to work on something that matters, really matters, this is it.
- Key Objectives
- Take full ownership of mechanical subsystems, from concept through design, analysis, manufacture, test and integration.
- Develop hardware for particle accelerator and target station systems, including vacuum vessels, precision alignment systems and support structures.
- Build and maintain the tooling that supports in-house manufacturing and integration.
- Move quickly and pragmatically, avoiding analysis paralysis and unnecessary process gates.
- Your Responsibilities
- Mechanical Design & Ownership
- Act as a Responsible Engineer with full ownership of your projects through design, analysis, manufacture, test and integration
- Develop mechanical subsystems for particle accelerator and/or target stations, including:
- Vacuum vessels
- Precision alignment systems for electromagnets and RF cavities
- Vacuum stages for diagnostics
- Support structures
- Facility radiation shielding
- Brackets to support pipes and/or electrical cabling
- Analysis & Validation
- Perform static structural FEA and validate models against physical test results
- Interpret and create mechanical drawings using GD&T, including tolerance stack-up analysis
- Write and maintain safety margin tables
- Hands-On Fabrication
- Design and build tooling to support in-house manufacturing and integration
- Work confidently across manufacturing processes such as CNC, sheet metal, welding and brazing
- Speed & Pragmatism
- Move fast without waiting for formal readiness gates or excess process
- Operate as a generalist across the full system rather than staying narrowly specialised
Requirements
- Several years' experience designing, building and testing hardware in a relevant engineering environment
- Proven CAD experience with On Shape, Solid Works, Fusion 360, NX, Catia, Creo, or similar
- Experience with static structural FEA, including validating the model against physical test
- Experience interpreting and creating mechanical drawings with GD&T, including tolerance stack-up analysis
- Experience writing safety margin tables
- Comfortable working hands-on to build your own hardware, in a workshop with common hand tools and power tools
- Willingness to work on-site in London
- Ideal Experience
- Experience creating shell models in FEMAP or similar
- Experienced in designing structures with integrated liquid cooling circuits
- Knowledge of UHV systems - vacuum pump types and trade-offs, UHV interfaces and design rules
- Experience working on particle accelerator or target station hardware specifically
Benefits
- Private Health Cover, with the option to add dependants.
- Life Assurance (Death in Service) at 4x salary.
- Salary sacrifice pension, with 4% employer contribution.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- EMI Share Options.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Mechanical Engineer (Accelerators) employer: StandardX
StandardX is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the Greater London area where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, a supportive culture that values creativity, and the chance to work on cutting-edge technology in high-power accelerator systems. With a focus on employee well-being and a commitment to excellence, StandardX stands out as a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful contributions in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Engineer (Accelerators)
✨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 StandardX.
✨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 StandardX love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of StandardX 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 Mechanical Engineer (Accelerators)
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 StandardX and the Mechanical Engineer (Accelerators) 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 StandardX
✨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 StandardX.
✨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 StandardX.
✨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 StandardX, making you a more appealing candidate.
