Mechatronic %26 Controls Technician

UKRI; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job description

Mechatronic and Controls Maintenance Technician

Salary: Electrical Engineer Band D- £44,982 or Electronics Technician Band E -£56,509 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Join the ISIS Electrical and Electronic User Support Group (EEUSG) and become an integral part of our dynamic Mechatronics Control Section!

Our team delivers crucial operational and maintenance services for a diverse range of systems, facilitating numerous scientific experiments at ISIS annually. We specialise in supporting mechatronic systems, Sample Environment, and Functional Safety systems.

Our mechatronic systems play a pivotal role in enabling world-leading science at the ISIS Neutron & Muon Source by allowing researchers to configure the instruments for experimental setups. These systems range from small stepper-driven linear positioning systems, piezo driven vacuum motion, and large servo systems all working at micron level accuracy.

Role Overview

As a key member of the mechatronics section, you will take a practical, hands-on role, responsibility for all aspects of supporting motion control equipment on our instruments that will include:

• Maintenance Planning: Developing and implementing maintenance activities, including safe methods of work, and maintaining accurate records.
• Repair, Maintenance and Fault Finding: Utilise your mechatronic skills to diagnose, repair, and maintain mechatronic equipment. We encourage personal development opportunities to help you expand and enhance your technical skills across various disciplines.
• Collaboration: Partner with specialist mechanical teams to assemble and install precision ISIS beamline motion control equipment.
• Design Reviews & Continuous Improvement: Provide operational insights during design reviews of new equipment. Opportunities you identify to enhance the functionality, reliability, and performance of motion control equipment will be supported.
• Showcase Expertise: Have the opportunity to present your work at conferences and workshops both in the UK and internationally.
• Mentorship: The opportunity to offer guidance, support, and encouragement to mechatronic graduates and apprentices.
• Testing, Commissioning, and Support: Work with a variety of PLC and motion software control systems and measurement equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Integration Support: Assist in integrating scientific equipment for experiments.

Additionally an Electronics Technician responsibilities will also include:

• Working more independently to resolve complex maintenance issues, lead the planning and implementation of safe work methods, and supervise junior staff.

Operational Support: ISIS operates a 24/7 user cycle when the accelerator is running (approx. 180 days/year). To ensure smooth operations, our technical staff provide support outside of normal working hours through a payable (additional allowances) on-call system. You will have the opportunity to work with support of the team to provide out-of-hours support for equipment within your remit.

The below criteria for the Electrical Engineer will be reviewed at Shortlisting (S) and /or Interview stage:

• Qualified HNC or above (HND, MEng, MSc, BEng) in a relevant engineering discipline or extensive experience in Mechatronics, Robotics, or Controls engineering (S).
• Demonstrable experience of mechatronic systems within an industrial or scientific setting which could include:
  • Experience in machine building and alignment of mechatronic systems (S+I).
  • Proficiency in the assembly of electrical systems and cabling such as wiring, crimping, and soldering of motion stages or panel building (S+I).
  • Setup and configuration of motion controllers or PLC systems (S+I).
• Proficiency with mechanical hand tools (S+I).
• Ability to critically analyse systems and diagnose root cause failures. (S+I).
• Knowledge of safety systems and isolation (S+I).
• Experience of working with Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) (S+I).
• Good written and verbal communication skills (S+I).
• Good customer service skills (I).

In addition to the above, the below criteria for the Electronics Technician will need to be demonstrated:

• High level knowledge of mechatronics (mechanical, electrical, and software) with a focus on sub-mm accuracy and repeatability setups (I).
• Experience with IEC 61131-3 programming languages (ISIS currently uses the Beckhoff TwinCAT platform with structured text for new motion control systems but knowledge of this specific system is not required) (I).
• Experience measuring and assessing motion performance such as accuracy and repeatability (I).
• Working knowledge of the Machinery Directive and PUWER (I).
• Experience either directly, or indirectly managing staff, giving technical supervision, or mentoring of junior technicians or engineers (I).

Please use your cover letter to demonstrate how you meet the shortlisting (s) criteria of this role if not covered by your CV.

Employee benefits

STFC offers our staff a wide range of excellent non-paying employee benefits, including but not limited to 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days), Flexible working hours, an excellent defined average salary pension scheme. As well as employee shopping/travel discounts and excellent learning and development opportunities.

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

Please 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 https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [e-mail].

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit