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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being: Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.

RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments) is a business unit, based at Culham, within the UK Atomic Energy Authority specialising in remote handling and automated systems. As part of the global programme for fusion, RACE is developing remote handling systems for the next generations of power stations.

RACE is also at the centre of the UK effort to apply novel technologies to all challenging and harsh environments for the protection of people and advancement of industry. RACE designs, procures commissions, operates and maintains the wide range equipment is used for maintenance and implementation of enhancements of the JET Tokamak and is active in the design and development of remote maintenance systems used in ITER and DEMO fusion reactor

Who are we looking for?

This is a great opportunity for enthusiastic, qualified and experienced mechanical design engineers to join the diverse and growing team at RACE.

If you would like to assist in developing and pursuing the RACE technology roadmap and enjoy the combination of project and operational work this could be a fantastic role for you. The opportunity will give you exposure to a range of work where you will build relationships and collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners. 

You will need to have the ability to work well within a team, with experience working on projects where you will be required to manage priorities and work within specific timescales and budgets. 

What will you be responsible for?

RACE Mechanical Design Engineers will be required to design, develop, commission, test, maintain and operate tools and equipment for these remote handling operations.

The main responsibilities of the role will include:

• Creation and design of effective remote handling mechanical robotic devices and tooling from concept through systems specifications to detail designs
• Liaison with customers to report of project progress and to agree priorities
• Project management of design projects within budgetary and schedule limits
• Managing the acceptance, testing and commissioning of complex remote systems

Special Requirements

The successful candidate may be required to occasionally work in controlled areas, which would involve wearing personal protective equipment. If required all necessary training and registration for this will be provided.

Essential skills, experience and competence required

• Engineering council recognised mechanical engineering degree or equivalent
• Experience in mechanism design and actuator selection
• Experience in design substantiation analysis using hand calculation and finite element techniques
• Competent in generating technical documents and specifications
• Experience in using 3D CAD system
• Ability to co-operate and work as part of a larger team or group

Desirable skills, experience and competence required

• Membership of a Professional Engineering Institution would be beneficial

What we offer

• A competitive salary  
• A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors 
• An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbeing initiatives 
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies  
• Emergency leave (paid) 
• 30.5 days annual leave (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) increased with length of service 
• Wide range of career development opportunities (e.g professional registration, internal promotions, coaching and mentoring programme)  
• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme  
• Annual corporate bonus scheme  
• Relocation allowance (if eligible) 

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities, (visible and hidden) and women. The Executive team with support from our EDI ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success. We are easily accessible by car and are a 10-minute walk from Culham Railway Station in Oxfordshire.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 30h September 2021 . We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions (convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or will confirm that there are no such convictions.