TOKAMAK Operations Engineer

Benefits

• 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 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our recruitment process page:

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.

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.

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.

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 a 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 (i) Personnel Safety, (ii) the 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.
• To 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.