Craft Technician Mechanical

Nuclear Restoration Services; Thurso; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Annual leave

Bonus scheme

Flexible working

Relocation assistance

Healthcare options

Job summary

NRS Dounreay is seeking a Mechanical Craft Technician to support the delivery of safe, reliable and efficient maintenance activities across plant and equipment.

You will perform planned maintenance, fault finding and defect rectification, using your technical expertise to maintain equipment reliability, resolve issues and support continuous improvement while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Time-served mechanical apprenticeship.
• HNC in Engineering or equivalent qualifications.
• Experience in mechanical installation and multi-disciplined maintenance.
• Proven experience in pressure systems, pipework testing and plant maintenance.
• Experience with generators, pumps and IC engines.
• Strong commitment to safe working practices in regulated environments.
• Nuclear or similarly regulated industry experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance as per facility instructions.
• Perform corrective maintenance and plant modifications.
• Operate plant and equipment, including remote handling tasks.
• Respond swiftly to breakdowns and maintain PPE protocols.

Skills

Mechanical installation

Maintenance

Pressure systems

Safety conscious

Remote handling

Education

Time-served mechanical apprenticeship

HNC in Engineering or equivalent

City & Guilds / NVQ Level 4 or equivalent

Tools

Pressure testing equipment

Multi-disciplined maintenance tools

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 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.

• A time‑served mechanical apprenticeship
• HNC in Engineering or equivalent qualifications plus experience (City & Guilds, BTEC, NVQ Level 4, or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience in mechanical installation and multi‑disciplined maintenance experience
• Proven experience in pressure systems, pipework pressure testing, plant maintenance, and servicing equipment such as generators, pumps, vehicles, and IC engines
• Strong commitment to safe working practices, including the competent use of PPE and the ability to work effectively within highly regulated environments
• Desirable experience in nuclear or similarly regulated industries, together with machine shop and/or electrical maintenance expertise
• Post specific physical capability analysis assessment

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. Please note we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications,

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

Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.