Join to apply for the Mechanical Design Engineer role at UK Atomic Energy Authority
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.
UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.
As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:
* Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
* Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
* Flexible working options including family‑friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
* Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
* Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2½ privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
* Wide range of career development opportunities.
* A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.
What to expect in our recruitment process:
For a step‑by‑step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process
The salary for this role is £42,858 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days a week, however we actively consider requests for flexible working.
This role is based at the following site: 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.
The Role
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting the design and development of major fusion sub‑systems, contributing to a significant programme of work from concept through to detailed design. You will also support enhancement programmes and the development of future fusion devices.
You will use the latest manufacturing techniques to guide design decisions, ensuring high‑quality, robust, and efficient solutions. You will be responsible for keeping projects on track and delivering designs that meet all technical and performance requirements.
You will be accountable for all design aspects of your assigned systems and components, including repairs, replacements, and upgrade activities, while maintaining exceptional standards of engineering excellence.
You should have excellent communication and technical writing skills along with strong interpersonal abilities. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
Key Accountabilities:
* Support design projects on major fusion sub‑systems, from concept through to detailed design, for enhancement programmes at CCFE facilities and future fusion devices.
* Implement and manage design requirements, interfaces, and processes to ensure performance and compliance.
* Ensure detailed designs are validated, including tolerances for different manufacturing options, collaborating with technicians, analysts, and suppliers as needed, and maintain compliance with design and manufacturing standards.
* Deliver projects successfully within constraints, including preparing and supporting technical reports, departmental notes, and procedures.
* Lead and supervise design activities, applying value engineering and design‑for‑manufacture principles, demonstrating strong communication, teamwork, and adherence to organisational management systems.
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that are reasonable and commensurate with this role.
Qualifications
* Understanding of the operation of data configuration control.
* Ability to perform exploratory design concepts using first principles.
* Proven capability in engineering design and a good working knowledge of manufacturing techniques/engineering materials and their properties.
* Experience with relevant environmental factors such as vacuum and transient magnetic fields.
* Experience with working to design standards.
* Leading teams and supervising other staff.
Additional Information
A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/
UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under‑represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and take steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
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.
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Research
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