Design Engineer Mechanical

Nuclear Restoration Services; Thurso; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Leave

Bonus

Flexible working

Relocation

Healthcare

Job summary

Nuclear Restoration Services seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to the Dounreay Breeder Fuel D1100 project, delivering safe and compliant design packages for reactor defuel activities. You will prepare reports, drawings and schedules, coordinating manufacture and testing while resolving technical issues.

Ideal candidates bring CDM, mechanical engineering knowledge, and site-control experience to support an essential national program with strong contractor collaboration and

Qualifications

• Experience in Mechanical Design Engineering with operations exposure in controlled areas.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with contractors and project operations.
• Solid understanding of CDM Regulations, Mechanical Engineering, and site control processes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare design documentation including design reports, fabrication drawings and acceptance testing schedules.
• Coordinate manufacture, trialling, testing and CDM arrangements to ensure safe and compliant project execution.
• Resolve emergent technical issues from operational activities.
• Support procurement, contractor engagement, governance, reporting and other activities that underpin robust project performance.

Skills

Mechanical design experience

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Education

HND Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Are you a Mechanical Design Engineer looking to apply your expertise to a project of national significance? Join Dounreay and play a key role in the DFR Reactor defuel programme, where your technical knowledge will help deliver safe, innovative and effective engineering solutions.

Ready to take the next step in your career with an organisation delivering work of national importance? The Breeder Fuel Project Team at NRS Dounreay are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Mechanical Design Engineer to support the delivery of a design packages in support of the Breeder Fuel D1100 operations.

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

What You Will Be Doing

In this role, you will play a pivotal part in ensuring the successful defuel of the DFR Reactor. You will prepare essential design documentation, including design reports, fabrication drawings and acceptance testing schedules, while supporting operational readiness through coordination of manufacture, trialling, testing and CDM arrangements. Your involvement will contribute directly to safe, compliant, and efficient project execution.

You will also support operational progress, assisting in the resolution of emergent technical issues from operational activities. Additionally, you'll provide valuable input into procurement, contractor engagement, governance, reporting, and other activities that underpin robust project performance.

Key Deliverables

• Apply health, safety, environmental and waste management processes with engineering activities taking advice where necessary from appropriate specialists
• Ensure designs are compliant with the relevant regulations
• Resolve technical queries and develop appropriate solutions for operational problems
• Create design documentation including engineering reports, proposals, specifications, calculations, drawing and reviews

What You Will Bring

You will bring valuable experience from a Mechanical Design Engineering environment, with exposure operations in controlled areas. Your strong communication and interpersonal skills enable you to collaborate effectively with contractors, engineers and project operations, while your solid understanding of CDM Regulations, Mechanical Engineering, and site control processes ensures safe and compliant project delivery.

Key Attributes

• Practical experience across Mechanical-related disciplines, supported by strong technical understanding and safety awareness.
• Excellent communication, organisational capability, and confidence working within fast-paced site environments.
• Proactive approach to safety, compliance and continuous improvement
• HND Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.

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, so we encourage early application.

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.