Cybernetics Technician

About the job

Cybernetics Technician
Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
Full-time
Department: RACE Operations
Salary: £29,799 to £31,661 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Confirmed Grade: Level 3
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

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 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.

Job Description
Who are we looking for?

RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments) specialises in remote handling and automated systems and is looking for a Cybernetics Technician. As a successful Cybernetics Technician, you will be responsible for the undertaking of the modification, commissioning, maintenance, and operation of control, software and electromechanical devices in remote handling controls equipment. You will be working across existing systems and developing new systems.

As a Cybernetics Technician, you may be required to work in Beryllium and Radiation controlled areas wearing Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) up to and including an airline feed pressurised suit. We will provide you necessary training and registration for this.

What will you be responsible for?

Undertake the testing and commissioning of control equipment and associated software for the remote handling systems.
Communicate issues to involved parties regarding the nature of the fault, the resolution required and the expected timeframe to repair the fault. During Remote handling operations there may be a requirement to attend site out of normal working hours on an “on-call basis”.
Work on RACE projects involving the research and development of new equipment and tasks and be able to recognise potential issues and use effective communication and interpersonal skills with project team members where an issue has been identified.
Ensure the relevant risk assessments and procedures are followed for the safe working within the workshops and work areas.
Record maintenance activities in the relevant project documentation systems.

Qualifications
Essential skills, experience and competence required

A relevant engineering degree /HND or HNC/ apprenticeship or equivalent with industry experience
Ability to understand and work from drawings and schematics
Experienced in fault finding techniques in control systems and devices
Knowledge of principles of computer networking
Awareness of basic principles of mobile robotics
Some programming knowledge

Desirable skills, experience and competence

Experience of working with control Graphical User Interfaces
Knowledge of regulations relating to safety of machines
Experience of working with control systems for servo-actuators and sensor feedback devices
Experience with PLC systems
Familiarity with source code version control systems (Git, SVN etc.)
Experience with network and other serial communications (TCP/IP, RS232/485) and/ or mobile robotics

Additional Information
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 increased with length of service (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) plus bank holidays
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 28/2/2022. 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.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.