Sustainable Field Instrument Engineer in Cambridge

British Antarctic Survey

Location – Cambridge, with fieldwork to polar regions, if required.

• Interview date: w/c 16th August 2026
• Background / Overview

Join a unique and impactful project to develop innovative engineering solutions that support net zero field science in Antarctica.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply and develop your skills in structural design, thermal management, modelling, testing and engineering analysis, while gaining experience in the practical development of systems for operation in one of the world's most challenging environments.

Your work will contribute directly to reducing the carbon footprint, improving the reliability and increasing the sustainability of BAS field instruments and infrastructure.

Purpose

This role focuses on the design, testing and optimisation of small-scale structures and shelters that support and house scientific instruments in remote locations.

These enclosures play a critical role in protecting scientific equipment, managing thermal performance and enabling long‑term autonomous operation in harsh polar environments.

Duties

• Develop and test engineering solutions which reduce carbon emissions associated with field instruments with a particular focus on structural design and thermal management alongside renewable energy generation, energy storage, improved testing, and other means of reducing the need for visits to service instruments.
• Contribute to advancing the capabilities of BAS in structures and heat management, with a particular focus on the small structures and enclosures that support autonomous scientific instruments at remote field sites.

This includes the design, analysis and validation of systems operating in extreme environments whilst also supporting the development of power generation, power management and communications, and our test capability.

• Assist with the project management and reporting of progress to stakeholders.
• Assist with the technical review of engineering solutions developed within the programme.
• Other duties as appropriate.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Instrumentation Engineering: Experience of developing engineering solutions relevant to field instrumentation.
• Sustainability Engineering: Experience of developing renewable and/or low‑carbon solutions.
• HNC/HND or higher in Engineering.
• Able to interpret calculations relevant to engineering.
• Experience of office computing skills including spreadsheets.
• Ability to work both in teams and independently of others and show initiative.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and within budgets.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Ability to make decisions under pressure to solve problems.
• Able to work with a range of staff in remote, isolated areas under difficult conditions.
• Demonstrable teamwork.
• You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions if required.

Desirable

• Experience of developing field instrumentation deployed in remote locations.
• Experience of developing solutions which reduce carbon emissions in remote environments (e. g. thermal management, renewable energy generation, energy storage, reducing servicing needs).
• Relevant degree or higher.
• Use of CAD/e CAD / schematic / PCB software.
• Experience of managing engineering projects, including managing scope, schedule, budgets and stakeholders.
• Able to communicate to a wide range of audiences.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.

UKRI reserves the right to run or re‑run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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