Mechanical Design Engineer

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK nuclear technology organization is seeking candidates for an engineering role focused on delivering innovative design solutions within the Nuclear Physics Package Group. This position involves collaborating with multi-discipline teams to ensure compliance with safety standards and contribute to product lifecycle management. Applicants should possess a relevant engineering qualification, experience in engineering design, awareness of testing techniques, and a desire for professional development. This role offers a competitive salary package and extensive benefits, including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

270 hours of annual leave

9-day working fortnight

Flexible working arrangements

Professional career development opportunities

Market leading contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Degree or vocational qualification in engineering with practical experience.
• Awareness of destructive testing techniques for certification.
• Experience in producing outline designs and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver agreed objectives and project deliverables.
• Engage with stakeholders for design compliance and planning.
• Support delivery of conceptual and detail designs.

Skills

Destructive and Non-destructive testing techniques

Engineering design development

Technical report preparation

Education

Degree or equivalent in engineering discipline

Tools

Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems

Job description

Location

Aldermaston, West Berkshire (On‑Site role). We are located between Reading & Basingstoke.

Package

£35,720 - £52,000 (depending on suitability, qualifications and level of experience)

Closing Date

31st May 2024

Roles Available

The Nuclear Physics Package (NPP) Group design, build, test and substantiate the safety and effectiveness of the UK's nuclear deterrent maintaining the Continuous At Sea Deterrent through pioneering science and computational methods. We also use our nuclear know‑how and technical expertise to provide innovative solutions that support the UK's nuclear threat reduction activities.

If you've ever wondered how a component fits into the wider system, or why it's been designed a certain way, or even why a tolerance on a drawing is so tight? These opportunities will give you insight into all of this, and much more!

• Product Design Team – working with multi‑discipline teams across the business to deliver innovative design solutions to a variety of unique engineering challenges, from concept to substantiation and providing through‑life engineering support for current and future systems.
• Hydrodynamic Trials – design, build and field the extraordinary engineering tests and trials that underpin the pioneering science and computational methods that substantiate the safety and effectiveness of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent. This role will give successful candidates the opportunity to design complex systems with unique materials, build those designs with their own hands, and test them in extreme environments at unique test facilities in the UK and abroad.
• Threat Response Team – Design, development, manufacture and assembly of hardware to support projects, trials and capability demonstrators. Support operational response through the provision of training aids and the undertaking of threat assessments for UK Government Departments.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of own agreed objectives / project deliverables
• Being directly responsible for engaging with stakeholders across the company to progress design activities, ensuring compliance with safety, security and performance with input from subject matter experts. Aid planning activities for future design activities
• Contribute to the planning and execution of tasks in order to deliver specific agreed objectives on time; demonstrating control of cost and quality
• Support the progress of designs through product lifecycle
• Understanding of the hazards and associated risks of any work conducted and, where required, safely use specialised equipment
• Understanding customer requirements and being able to translate these into engineering solutions
• Contribute to the delivery of conceptual designs, detail designs, manufacturing specifications, operational documentation and validation evidence for mechanical engineering solutions in relation to defined requirements
• Contribute to the production and delivery of high‑quality technical reports and presentations
• Identify and support opportunities for cost savings, efficiency and business improvement
• Assist the Technical Lead in managing partnerships
• Support the Senior Engineer in scoping, planning, and estimating future activities
• Organise personal training and development under the guidance of a professional mentor

To be considered for this role you must have:

• A Degree, HND/HNC or an equivalent vocational qualification, in an engineering discipline supported by considerable practical experience, with or working towards professional registration
• Awareness of Destructive and Non‑destructive testing techniques for product certification and through‑life monitoring
• Awareness of the development, testing and evaluation of Engineering designs
• Experience of producing outline designs and preparing technical reports and documentation

Experience/understanding of any of the following would be advantageous:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) including configuration management and quality control
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems
• Engineering drafting to BS8888 with GD&T
• Substantiating engineering designs for safety and performance
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and its limitations
• Machine tools and manufacturing processes
• Additive manufacturing processes and technologies
• Static and dynamic environmental testing
• Material selection and testing
• Working to British and ISO Standards

What will you get from us?

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including Bank Holidays).
• 9‑day working fortnight – every other Friday off work.
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time.
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave – 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution).
• Life Assurance.
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending savings.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family.

Important things you need to know:

• You must be a UK national who has been resident in the UK for the past 10 years.
• Interviews will be 90 minutes in length and will be held over MS Teams. You will be required to prepare a 10‑minute presentation in advance.
• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.