Plasma Control Engineer

Company Description

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 realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground-breaking 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.

• 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 £43,702 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits, including outstanding pension.
Onsite working is expected for 3 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.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As a Plasma Control Engineer
, you will play a pivotal role in the development and operation of Plasma Control Systems (PCS) to ensure that experiments can be conducted on fusion devices. Primarily focused on MAST-U and STEP, the role will also support other tokamaks around the world.

This role covers the full lifecycle of control systems development—from defining requirements and system specification to modelling, implementation, commissioning, operation, and eventual decommissioning. Provide software support to maintain and develop tools and models to support plasma operations for national and international fusion programmes. Expected to contribute towards publications in technical journals and international conferences. Depending on their knowledge, experience, and interest, the successful candidate will be encouraged to train for a role within the MAST-U control room, working with the operational team to configure and safely operate the MAST-U device to achieve experimental goals.

• Contribute to the development, operation and maintenance of software, tools and models for MAST-U Plasma Control System and for the STEP programme. This involves evaluation, testing and refining software as well as maintaining suitable documentation of both the physical hardware and software configuration of systems.
• Collaborate with, and provide advice to, external organisations within the European Fusion community in the development of software related to plasma control and operations.
• Undertake software/control system development for other (non- MAST-U) projects for internal and external customers. This involves working with scientists and engineers to understand project requirements, architect solutions and discuss potential areas for future collaboration.
• Manage own tasks over days or weeks with attention to quality, timescales and communication. Ensure progress reports are submitted to task managers/project leads on time.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations for internal and external…