Senior Testing Rigs & Labs Lead

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Pension scheme

Annual leave + privilege days

Flexible working

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority in Abingdon is seeking a Principal Testing Rigs & Labs Technician to provide senior‑level technical leadership within our experimental laboratories. This hands‑on role combines extensive mechanical and electrical expertise with day‑to‑day responsibility for testing rigs and laboratory equipment.

You will translate experimental designs into safe, robust test setups, mentor technicians and apprentices, and help evolve laboratory capability to meet the needs of novel

Qualifications

• A relevant technical qualification in a STEM discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience in laboratory, prototype or experimental test environments.
• Strong mechanical and/or electrical technical capability.
• Experience delivering and operating complex experimental setups (e.g. pressure, vacuum, cryogenic or high‑voltage systems).
• Proven ability to take ownership of laboratory operations and experimental delivery.
• Ability to interpret and produce engineering and technical documentation.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or coaching technical staff or apprentices.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work autonomously.
• Manual or CNC lathe & Mill experience.

Responsibilities

• Take day-to-day ownership of the safe and effective operation of testing rigs and laboratory facilities.
• Act as the technical lead for experimental build, commissioning, operation and decommissioning activities.
• Translate experimental designs into safe, buildable and high-quality physical test setups.
• Provide hands-on leadership during complex or novel experimental work, troubleshooting issues and reducing technical risk.
• Ensure laboratory assets, tooling and equipment are maintained, organised, calibrated and fit for purpose.
• Lead risk assessment, safe systems of work and incident investigation within laboratory environments.
• Generate and maintain technical procedures, experimental documentation and high-quality test data records.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory processes, workflows, tooling and instrumentation.
• Supervise, mentor and develop technicians and apprentices, setting high standards of professionalism and safety.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to clarify requirements, provide expert guidance and manage expectations.
• Deputise for the Testing Rigs and Labs Operations Manager when required.

Skills

Lab leadership

Mechanical

Electrical

Hands-on experience

Mentoring

Autonomy

CNC Lathe

CNC Mill

Education

STEM qualification

Tools

Manual Lathe

CNC Mill

Job description

UK Atomic Energy Authority in Abingdon is seeking a Principal Testing Rigs & Labs Technician to provide senior‑level technical leadership within our experimental laboratories. This hands‑on role combines extensive mechanical and electrical expertise with day‑to‑day responsibility for testing rigs and laboratory equipment.

You will translate experimental designs into safe, robust test setups, mentor technicians and apprentices, and help evolve laboratory capability to meet the needs of novel