Graduate Mechatronics Design Engineer

UKRI; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in the UK is hiring a Mechatronics Graduate Design Engineer for a full-time role at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. This position offers the chance to deliver innovative engineering solutions and gain valuable experience in both design and project management within a world-class research setting. The successful candidate will work on high-precision moving equipment and benefit from extensive training and support in their professional development.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Defined average salary pension scheme

Easily accessible public transport links

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Achieved or on course for a minimum 2:1 degree.
• Good understanding of mechatronics design fundamentals.
• Ability to communicate well technically and non-technically.

Responsibilities

• Deliver mechatronics engineering solutions.
• Produce designs and specifications based on customer requirements.
• Program electrical control systems using IEC 61131.

Skills

Mechatronics design engineering

Technical communication

Project management awareness

Education

2:1 degree in a relevant field of study

Tools

2D & 3D CAD systems

IEC 61131 programming languages

Job description

Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: 35049 per annum 1000 welcome bonus

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Closing date: 19th October 2025

Assessment Centre: December 2025 / January 2026

Start date: September 2026

The ISIS neutron and muon source is a world‑leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences. Our suite of neutron and muon instruments gives unique insights into the properties of materials on the atomic scale. Professional engineers maintain and improve the facility to ensure it remains a world leading facility.

The ISIS Design Division are on the lookout for Mechatronics Graduate Design Engineers. The team will provide an encouraging and outstanding opportunity for a wide variety of design analysis and project engineering experiences associated with high precision moving equipment.

The diverse nature of the facility is mirrored in its variety of engineering systems. Mechatronics and the associated electrical control systems are an important part of the ISIS facility sitting at the heart of many of our instrument systems and in other areas requiring strong integration with other mechanical, electrical and scientific systems. The motion components used range from large industrial motors to miniature actuators and sensors. The control systems are modern real‑time based programmable logic controllers capable of delivering coordinated motion across many motors. Most projects at the STFC ISIS facility are one‑off special designs!

Graduate Scheme

The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and training and development.

Our dedicated Graduate Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Deliver mechatronics engineering solutions to meet scientific requirements
• To be involved in each aspect of the delivery process from engineering concept design procurement installation / commissioning testing and final reporting
• Produce mechatronics concepts designs and engineering drawings through the use of 2D & 3D CAD systems
• Create and manage specifications based on customer requirements
• Produce calculations to validate designs
• Present designs for peer and stakeholder review
• Present work in writing and verbally to a wide range of audiences
• Procure manufactured items and bought out components
• Program Electrical control systems using IEC 61131 languages

Person Specification

In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:

Essential

• Achieved or be on course to achieve a minimum 2:1 degree in a relevant field of study
• Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment
• Ability to communicate well both technically and non-technically
• Ability to read and understand technical information and act upon it as a design engineer
• Good technical understanding of the fundamentals of mechatronics design engineering
• Individual and Team mechatronics design project work during degree
• Awareness of engineering design and associated project management processes
• Basic understanding of design safety

Desirable

• Degree is IMechE / IET Accredited for CEng
• Industrial placement experience relevant to mechatronics design
• Understanding of the mechanical design of dynamic motorised systems

Employee Benefits

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links / free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Link to more benefits: note if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK as part of your sponsorship application you and any dependants travelling with you will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information please visit or contact

Application Guidance

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together our scientists technologists engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of, and they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover whats possible!