HPC Computational Engineer

Physics World; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in fusion energy is seeking an HPC Computational Engineer to join their Advanced Engineering Simulation Group. The role involves research in high-performance computing and algorithm development to optimize workflows for fusion reactor engineering. Candidates should hold a Master's degree in a relevant STEM field and have experience in numerical methods and programming.

Benefits

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Inclusive company culture

Qualifications

• Master's degree in physics, engineering, or related field.
• Experience in numerical methods and programming.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing and Linux.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to modeling and simulation for fusion programs.
• Develop and maintain scalable codes.
• Analyze data from experiments or simulations.

Skills

Uncertainty quantification

Numerical methods

Programming in C++

Scripting in Python

Linux/UNIX command line

Education

Master's degree in relevant STEM discipline

Tools

Monte Carlo neutron transport tools

Multi-physics modelling software

High-performance computing systems

Job description

HPC Computational Engineer

Full-time

Salary: £40,609 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

Division: Computing

Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

Confirmed Grade: Level 4

Department: Computational Science and Engineering

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 leads the way in realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

As an employee of UKAEA, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert;
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible);
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment;
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders;
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays;
• Wide range of career development opportunities;
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

Job Description

The salary for this role is £40,609 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 2-3 days a week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

This role is based at the following site; Culham, Oxfordshire.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

The Role

As an HPC Computational Engineer, you will join the Advanced Engineering Simulation Group within the UKAEA’s Computing Division. We conduct research and development across diverse areas such as high-performance computing, algorithm development, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Our focus is on optimising research workflows and advancing computing infrastructures for fusion reactor engineering. We collaborate with academia and industry on novel computing technologies and algorithms. Join us to contribute to UKAEA's mission through impactful projects and engagement with users and stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities:

• Contribute to modelling, simulation and uncertainty quantification activities for UKAEA fusion programmes such as the LIBRTI (Lithium Breeding Tritium Innovation) Programme;
• Development, testing and maintenance of performant and highly scalable codes;
• Data preparation and analysis from either experimental devices or simulations;
• Development of high-fidelity integrated multi-physics models of fusion systems (digital twins);
• Deployment and migration of codes to new computing architectures.

Other Duties:

• Promote and disseminate our activities both internally and externally through reports, journal articles, conference contributions, and published software packages;
• Willingness to travel domestically and abroad for short periods;
• Supporting users in adopting your outputs and technologies.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline, e.g. physics, materials science, physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or equivalent experience;
• Experience in performing uncertainty quantification or error analysis;
• Experience in modelling with numerical methods (e.g. Monte Carlo, Finite Elements, Finite Volumes);
• Experience of at least one compiled programming language (e.g. C++, Fortran, C, Rust) and/or advanced scripting language (e.g. Python, Julia, R);
• Experience with the Linux/UNIX operating system, especially with the command line interface.

Desirable:

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant STEM field such as physics, engineering, or computer science, with knowledge in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, or fusion.

Experience using (one or more of the following):

• Monte Carlo neutron transport tools (e.g. OpenMC, MCNP, Fluka, Geant4);
• Multi-physics modelling software (e.g. MOOSE, OpenFOAM);
• High-performance computing systems; Debugging and profiling tools; Parallel / GPU programming techniques (e.g. MPI, OpenMP, CUDA, HIP, Kokkos, Sycl);
• Proven ability to disseminate research via presentations or publications, with familiarity in modern software engineering practices.

Additional Information

For a full list of benefits and to apply, select the apply button to be taken through to the UKAEA careers pages.

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi British, and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the UK Government website for information on criminal records checks. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.