Process Development Engineer

Tokamak Energy Ltd; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holidays

Performance-based rewards

Share options

Pension & protection

Health & wellbeing support

Career progression

Impactful fusion energy work

Job summary

Tokamak Energy Ltd is seeking a manufacturing/ mechanical engineer to help develop and scale HTS coil manufacturing methods. You will work at the intersection of engineering development and production, creating tooling, improving processes and transitioning concepts into repeatable production.

The role demands hands-on skills, a track record in manufacturing environments and a proactive, problem-solving approach in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Degree or proven track record in manufacturing process development.
• Strong hands-on skills with tools, machining and assembly.
• Experience in manufacturing, production or mechanical engineering.
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes.
• Exposure to tooling, fixtures or manufacturing equipment.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities in fast-paced settings.
• Desirable: quality control/inspection experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop new HTS coil manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Support prototype builds and proof-of-concept activities.
• Improve existing manufacturing methods for repeatability and scalability.
• Collaborate with engineering to transition technology into production.
• Lead NPI activities and introduce new methods.
• Design, build and commission tooling, jigs and fixtures.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation.
• Conduct process risk assessments and support safe practices.
• Train and mentor technicians and operators.
• Support continuous improvement across operations.

Education

Degree in Manufacturing / Mechanical Engineering / equivalent experience

Job description

Tokamak Energy is a global leader in fusion energy and high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies. We work with governments and industry to develop and bring fusion and HTS solutions to market through innovation and strategic partnerships. A major part of this is our end to end capability in HTS systems, from design to manufacturing.

We are the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK Government's STEP Fusion programme, under a £70million contract running to 2029, working with UK Fusion Energy to deliver HTS magnet systems for the STEP prototype power plant, while also contributing to tokamak systems and plasma integration.

Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Tokamak Energy is headquartered in Oxfordshire, with subsidiaries in the United States and Japan. Today, we employ over 300 people and have secured more than £280 million in investment.

We operate through three divisions:

Fusion - Fusion energy technologies, expertise and testbeds for government and private fusion programmes, including ST40, the world’s highest field spherical tokamak.

TE Magnetics - HTS systems for commercial applications including fusion energy, power distribution, life sciences, and propulsion.

Ridgway Machines - Manufacturing equipment for the superconducting, electrical and wider energy sectors, enabling the rapid industrialisation of HTS products.

This is an opportunity to help develop the manufacturing processes that will underpin the next generation of high temperature superconducting magnet technology.

Rather than maintaining established production lines, you'll work at the intersection of engineering development and manufacturing, creating new manufacturing methods, improving existing processes and helping transform innovative concepts into repeatable, production-ready solutions.

You'll be joining a hands-on engineering team working in an environment where many of the challenges have never been solved before. Success will come from practical problem solving, curiosity and a willingness to take ownership.

In this role, you will:

• Develop new HTS coil manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Support prototype builds and proof-of-concept activities
• Improve existing manufacturing methods to increase repeatability and scalability
• Work closely with engineering and design teams to transition new technology into production
• Lead NPI activities and introduce new manufacturing methods
• Design, build and commission tooling, jigs and fixtures
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation
• Conduct process risk assessments and support safe manufacturing practices
• Train and mentor technicians and operators
• Support continuous improvement across manufacturing operations

• Degree in Manufacturing / Mechanical Engineering or appropriate experience and proven track record of manufacturing process development.
• Proven hands on skills (manual tools, machining, assembly etc.)
• Experience within manufacturing, production or mechanical engineering
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes
• Exposure to tooling, fixtures or manufacturing equipment
• Strong practical problem-solving ability
• Comfortable working in fast-paced environments where solutions do not already exist
• Desirable: Quality control and quality inspection experience.

• Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, plus discretionary festive shutdown
• Performance-led rewards including discretionary bonus, innovation and merit schemes
• Share options – a stake in our future success
• Pension and comprehensive financial protection package including death in service and critical illness cover
• Health and wellbeing support, including cash plan and 24/7 assistance
• Ongoing investment in your growth with training and career progression
• Be part of world-changing innovation in Fusion Energy

Important information for candidates

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.