Senior Process Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Catcliffe; Hybrid; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering organisation in the UK is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to lead the design of major fusion sub-systems. This role involves managing project teams, overseeing engineering activities, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have an engineering degree or equivalent and experience in process engineering analysis. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively are essential. Full-time onsite work is expected with some flexibility for hybrid arrangements.

Qualifications

• Must have an engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Chartered status with a professional institution is essential.
• Must be able to perform exploratory design calculations using first principles.
• Experience in process engineering analysis required.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of major fusion sub-systems.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and oversee repair/upgrade activities.
• Support and mentor junior engineers, promoting technical excellence.

Skills

Distributed Control Systems

Continuous Improvement

Process Improvement

Minitab

Root Cause Analysis

Tooling

Statistical Software

Process Engineering

cGMP

Programmable Logic Controllers

Public Speaking

Manufacturing

Education

Relevant engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

The salary for this role is 56,596 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; we actively support requests for flexible working (including part‑time reduced hours).

This role can be based at the following site: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire or Rotherham, Yorkshire.

Travel to another site may be required.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

The Role

As a Senior Process Engineer you will lead the design and development of major fusion sub‑systems, driving projects from concept through to detailed design. This role requires engineering analysis capability to inform key design decisions. You will also oversee system or component repair, replacement and upgrade activities, produce high‑quality technical documentation and ensure all work aligns with relevant design standards.

If you have experience leading teams, supervising staff, and strong communication and technical writing skills we would like to hear from you.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end design of major fusion sub‑systems, including enhancements for UKAEA facilities and future fusion devices, ensuring compliance with engineering standards.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams, oversee system / component repair and upgrade activities, and collaborate with systems engineers on design requirements, risk analysis and interface management.
• Develop and validate process designs using modelling, mass and energy balances, PFDs and P&ID, and create supporting technical documentation for major equipment.
• Supervise detailed design, manufacturing tender preparation and contract management, applying principles of value engineering and design for manufacture.
• Support and mentor junior engineers and students, promoting team development, effective communication and technical excellence across the organisation.
• Act as a technical authority, contribute to publications, ensure adherence to organisational systems and drive improvements in group processes and competencies.
• Manage projects or oversee contracts, leading teams of up to 10 staff and supervising the training and development of junior team members.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• A relevant engineering degree or equivalent.
• Attained or actively working towards Chartered status with a suitable professional institution.
• Ability to perform exploratory design calculations using first principles.
• Proven capability in process engineering analysis and a good working knowledge of engineering materials and their properties.
• Experience with relevant factors such as vacuum pressure and high temperature.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and people from Black, British, Caribbean, African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi, British and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities and neurotypical individuals. Our Executive team, supported by our Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Wellbeing, actively promotes inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation.

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, information on criminal records checks can be found at the government website. If your country or previous residence is not listed or 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.

Working Conditions

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Full‑time

Key Skills

• Distributed Control Systems
• Continuous Improvement
• Process Improvement
• Minitab
• Root Cause Analysis
• Tooling
• Statistical Software
• Process Engineering
• cGMP
• Programmable Logic Controllers
• Public Speaking
• Manufacturing