Senior Cryogenics Engineer

Join us as a Senior Cryogenics Engineer at The Engineer UK
.

Location: Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
Employment Type: Full‑time.
Salary: £56,596 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) plus excellent benefits, including a defined benefit pension and corporate bonus scheme up to 7%.
Grade: Level 5.
Division: Plasma Science and Fusion Operations.
Department: Tokamak Systems.

• Provide expertise to a small team working on the STEP cryoplant and cryodistribution system.
• Process and equipment design and selection.
• Design P&, heat and mass balances, and supporting documentation.
• Plan and perform simulation analyses, and validate analyses performed by others.
• Present strategic reports to senior management; contribute to negotiations for resources and budget.
• Select design standards and validate designs against those standards, by computation or experimentation.
• Vendor management, including managing significant contracts.
• Engage with industry and the wider cryogenics sector to drive innovative developments.
• Supervise and direct the work of junior engineers or students.
• Prepare papers for journals and conferences, present at seminars and conferences.
• Ensure safety requirements are met.

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent in Cryogenic, Mechanical, Process Engineering, or an equivalent STEM subject.
• Extensive experience in cryogenics, from laboratory or industrial settings.
• Modelling and simulation experience using CFD and thermal analysis software (MATLAB Simulink, MATLAB coding, ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Process engineering design of cryogenic systems using simulation tools such as ASPEN HYSYS/PLUS and MATLAB.
• Good working knowledge of engineering materials and their properties.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Demonstrable ability to work and communicate with a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Understanding of modern project‑management tools and methodology.

Desirable:

• Design, development, and construction of cryogenic distribution systems.
• Specification and selection of cryogenic/pneumatic/hydraulic system components.
• Understanding of process automation, instrumentation, and control.
• Experience with environmental factors such as plasmas, vacuum, and transient magnetic fields.
• Solid understanding of Quality Assurance, Safety, Health, and Environment standards.

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options; right to request flexible working from start.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave: 25 days + 3 days Christmas closure + 2.5 privilege days + UK bank holidays.
• Career development opportunities.

Recruitment process details can be found on our website. The role requires completion of an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. The position is onsite 3 days a week, with flexible working supported.

Apply now to join UKAEA's mission for clean energy. We welcome talent from all backgrounds, particularly women in STEM and under‑represented groups.