Plasma Control Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in energy research is seeking a Plasma Control Engineer to oversee the development and operation of Plasma Control Systems for fusion devices. The successful candidate will work on real-time control systems, contribute to software development, and collaborate with both internal teams and external organizations. This role offers a full-time employment opportunity with flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific engineering or technical subject (e.g., Plasma Physics, Control Engineering).
• Demonstrable experience in software development for scientific or engineering applications.
• Knowledge and experience of real-time control systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and operate Plasma Control Systems (PCS) for fusion devices.
• Provide software support to maintain and develop tools for plasma operations.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations for internal and external forums.

Skills

Software development in at least one language (Python, C/C++, Fortran)

Real-time control systems knowledge

Effective communication

Collaboration on projects

Education

Degree in a scientific or engineering subject

Job description

The salary for this role is 42858 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) excellent benefits including outstanding pension. O nsite working is expected for 3 days a week however we actively support requests for flexible working.

This role can be based at any of 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

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As Plasma Control Engineer you will play a pivotal role in the development and operation of Plasma Control Systems (PCS) to ensure that experiments can be conducted on fusion devices. Primarily focused on MAST-U and STEP the role will also support other tokamaks around the world. This role covers the fulllifecycle of control systems developmentfrom defining requirements and system specification to modelling implementation commissioning operation and eventual decommissioning. Provide software support to maintain and develop tools and models to support plasma operations for national and international fusion programmes. Expected to contribute towards publications in technical journals and international conferences. Dependent on their knowledge experience and interest the successful candidate will be encouraged to train for a role within the MAST-U control room working with the operational team to configure and safely operate the MAST-U device to achieve experimental goals.

Additional Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development operation and maintenance of software tools and models for MAST-U Plasma Control System and for the STEP programme. This involves evaluation testing and refining software as well as maintaining suitable documentation of both the physical hardware and software configuration of systems.
• Collaborate with and provide advice to external organisations within the European Fusion community in the development of software related to plasma of control and operations
• Undertake software / control system development for other (non- MAST-U) projects for internal and external customers. This involves working with scientists and engineers to understand project requirements architect solutions and discuss potential areas for future collaboration
• Manageowntasksover days or weeks with attention to qualitytimescalesand communication. Ensure progress reports are submitted to task managers / project leads on time.
• Prepare and delivery technical presentation for internal and external forums.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• Degree ina scientific engineering or technical subject (e.g. Plasma Physics Control Engineering Robotics Software Engineering)
• Demonstrableexperienceofdevelopingworkingunderstandablesoftwareinatleastonelanguageusedinscientificoreengineeringapplications(particularlyPython C / C Fortran).
• Knowledge and experience of real time control systems
• Appetite and ability to learn and apply new technologies.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate well on projects.

Desirable

• Phd or equivalent research experience working in an academic or industrial research environment.
• Knowledge of plasma physics or fusion fundamentals.
• Experience of Plasma Physics or experimental experience at a fusion research institution.
• Knowledge and experience of developing FPGA solutions for real time applications.

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here mission is clean energy for all and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under-represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. 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 organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis for example changes to the way we interview or share information.

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Full-time