Craft Technician Mechanical

Nuclearinst; Dounreay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13.5% employer pension contribution

28 days annual leave + bank holiday

Company bonus scheme

Flexible working

Relocation assistance

Healthcare options

Job summary

NRS Dounreay is seeking a Mechanical Craft Technician to support safe, reliable maintenance across plant and equipment, including planned maintenance, fault finding and rectification. The role supports Breeder Fuel operations and the decommissioning effort at the DFR Reactor, ensuring work is safe, efficient and compliant.

Day-to-day duties include preventative maintenance, corrective works, plant modifications, and responding to breakdowns, with PPE and respiratory protection as required.

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical installation and maintenance.
• Essential experience in pressure systems and general plant maintenance.
• Safety‑conscious with a practical hands‑on approach.
• Time‑served mechanical apprenticeship desirable.
• Technical qualifications such as City & Guilds, BTEC, NVQ Level 4, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance in line with facility instructions.
• Complete corrective works when required.
• Carry out plant modifications and new installations per project instructions.
• Respond swiftly and safely to breakdowns.
• Operate a range of plant and equipment and perform mechanical tasks.

Skills

Mechanical installation

General plant maintenance

Pressure systems

Safety awareness

Hands-on

Education

Time-served mechanical apprenticeship

City & Guilds / BTEC / NVQ4

Tools

Machine shop practices

Electrical work

Job description

NRS Dounreay is seeking a Mechanical Craft Technician to support the delivery of safe, reliable and efficient maintenance activities across plant and equipment. The successful candidate will carry out planned maintenance, fault finding and defect rectification, using their technical expertise to maintain equipment reliability, resolve issues and support continuous improvement while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

Are you an experienced maintenance professional looking for a role where your technical expertise can make a real difference? Join the he Breeder Fuel Project Team who are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Mechanical Craft Technician to support the delivery of Breeder Fuel operations.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the successful defuel of the DFR Reactor, ensuring activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with organisational and regulatory requirements.

What you will be doing

Your day‑to‑day work will include carrying out planned preventative maintenance in line with facility instructions, completing corrective works when required, plant modifications and new installations in line with project instructions and responding swiftly and safely to breakdowns. You will also operate a range of plant and equipment, performing mechanical or remote handling tasks, and wearing various types of personal protective equipment and respiratory protection equipment as deemed necessary.

Key Deliverables:

• Carry out mechanical project installation and modification activities, ensuring every task is carried out safely, efficiently, and to an exceptional standard.
• Carry out routine maintenance activities in line with facility instructions

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking a candidate with a strong foundation in mechanical installation and maintenance, including essential experience in pressure systems and general plant maintenance. You will be safety-conscious, technically capable, and able to work effectively within a regulated environment. A broad background across maintenance disciplines and a practical, hands‑on approach will be highly valued.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in mechanical installation and maintenance.
• Essential experience in pressure systems and general plant maintenance.
• Competence in the use of protective clothing and equipment.
• A strong awareness of safe working practices.
• Experience working within a nuclear or similarly regulated environment (desirable).
• A time‑served mechanical apprenticeship (desirable).
• Technical qualifications such as City & Guilds, BTEC, NVQ Level 4, or equivalent (desirable).
• Experience of machine shop practices and/or electrical work (desirable).
• Experience of pressure testing pipework.
• Experience servicing IC engines.
• Experience maintaining generators, pumps, and vehicles.
• Experience carrying out a wide range of general maintenance and repair activities.
• Strong technical capability and practical experience across multiple maintenance disciplines.
• The ability to work safely and effectively in a tightly regulated environment.

Why Join Dounreay?

• Play an integral role in a critical national programme
• Contribute to the safe and effective delivery of complex decommissioning activities
• Help uphold the highest standards of health, safety, environment, and quality
• Make a direct impact on protecting people, the environment, and site infrastructure
• Benefits such as; 13.5% employer pension contribution, 28 days annual leave + bank holiday, Company bonus scheme, Flexible working, Relocation assistance, Excellent flexible benefits & healthcare options

Interviews are expected week commencing Monday 26th of October 2026.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail]