Vacuum and Gas Technician

• Salary: £43,702 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division:
  Plasma Science and Fusion Operations
• Department:
  Tokamak Systems

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 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

The salary for this role is £43,702 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 days a 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 Vacuum and Gas Technician, a dual role supporting the vacuum and gas systems of the MAST‑U tokamak as well as coordinating all bottled gases procurement & deployment activities across UKAEA. The job holder will work within a team of engineers and technicians under the management of the Cryogenics & Services Team Leader.

The role may occasionally include participation in a rostered on‑call system, with fault‑finding and maintenance of vacuum systems often carried out outside normal working hours due to access restrictions during operations.

• Carrying out fault‑fixing, repairs, maintenance, commissioning and enhancements to the existing vacuum and gas systems. Leading small vacuum and gas projects.
• Improving the reliability and efficiency of the existing vacuum systems. Procurement of new mechanical equipment and spares for the vacuum and gas systems.
• Authoring, producing and maintaining operating procedures, commissioning procedures, reports, drawings, manuals and other such technical documentation. Carrying out risk assessments, writing operating procedures and other safety documentation.
• Supervising contractors and apprentices, when required.
• Co‑ordinating all safety related activities and training concerning the usage of bottled gases across UKAEA. Leading the activities of the 18 Authorised Persons Bottled Gases with respect to safety, legal and regulatory requirements. Developing and implementing best practices in the management and use of bottled gases.
• Deputy contract manager for the bottled gas contract, responsible for coordinating the ordering, delivery and forecasting demand for bottled gas across site.
• Undertaking quarterly audits of all gas storage facilities on site and instigating the improvement of existing gas procurement and delivery systems.

• HNC in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience with vacuum systems.
• Knowledge of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR)…