Remote Handling Operations Engineer (Mechanical)

About the job

Remote Handling Operations Engineer (Mechanical)

- Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
- Full-time

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?

We are looking to recruit a graduate to work as a Mechanical Engineer with practical, hands-on experience with mechanical components to use new technology and implement robotic solutions for hazardous environments. A perfect opportunity to join a rapidly growing department which designs and operates the equipment used for maintenance and upgrade of the JET Tokamak as well as other commercial projects. 

As a Remote Handling Operations Engineer, you will be trained to work on the deployment of robotic systems for hazardous environments and will have the opportunity to work across a range of international projects. The work will include the operation of a full remote handling system, tool and component design, and remote handling task development.

If you have a recognised HND or degree in Mechanical Engineering, can work with a high degree of attention to detail, take responsibility for your own work and speak up if unsure, this could be a great opportunity for you. 

What will you be responsible for?

- Operating a remote handling system to maintain and upgrade complex machinery in an inaccessible area
- Designing equipment and tooling so that complex operations can be undertaken using a robotic remote handling system
- Specification of physical and virtual mock-ups
- Developing sequence descriptions and remote handling operating procedures
- Assisting in the shift management for remote handling operations
- Reporting and presentation of feasibility assessments and operating procedures

Please note that you may be required to work in Beryllium and Radiation controlled areas. All necessary training and registration for this will be provided by UKAEA. Occasionally, our work involves operations staffed in shifts and you must be prepared to work shifts or be on call as required.

Please also note that this role will not form part of the UKAEA Graduate Scheme and will be recruited as a direct intake for the department. 

Please note, if you are currently studying, we can defer the start date to after you have completed your course (i.e. summer 2022).

Qualifications
Essential skills, experience and competence required

- A recognised HND or degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Good understanding of mechanical engineering and kinematics and an interest in robotics
- Practical hands-on experience with mechanical components and assemblies
- Motivation to continuously build knowledge and skills, managing own development and career progression with support from line management and mentors
- Ability to report on the results of their work to project teams, communicating the technical issues clearly

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 (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. Our dedicated ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) partner, with the support from our 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 23rd June 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 – 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.