Senior Testing Rigs & Labs Technician

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £43,702 incl. specialist£3,300

Up to 7% bonus

Final salary pension 21.5% employer

25 days annual leave + 2.5 privilege +

8 Bank Holidays

Site closure 3 days over Christmas

Flexible working options

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority is seeking a Senior Testing Rigs & Labs Technician to provide hands-on technical support in our experimental laboratories and workshop. You will build, operate and maintain testing rigs and systems that support prototype development and experimental programmes, working with engineers, scientists and technicians.

You will apply mechanical and/or electrical expertise from drawings and plans, ensure safe operation, mentor junior technicians and contribute to planning and

Qualifications

• Relevant STEM qualification and hands-on laboratory/workshop experience.
• Ability to read drawings and technical documentation.
• Experience with test rigs, experimental equipment or prototype environments.
• Experience contributing to risk assessments and safety documentation.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to mentor or guide apprentices and junior technicians.

Responsibilities

• Carry out hands-on lab and experimental work, including assembly, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of rigs.
• Support safe day-to-day operation of lab facilities and equipment.
• Translate drawings and plans into robust physical setups.
• Identify and resolve technical issues during builds and experiments; escalate when needed.
• Contribute to risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work.
• Maintain records for equipment status, servicing and calibration.
• Support data collection and basic processing of experimental data.
• Mentor junior technicians and promote safe lab practices.

Skills

Hands-on lab work

Mechanical skills

Electrical skills

Reading drawings

Problem solving

Communication

Mentoring juniors

Education

HNC/HND or equivalent STEM qualification

Job description

About the job

We are seeking a Senior Testing Rigs & Labs Technician to provide advanced hands‑on technical support within our experimental laboratories and workshop.

In this role, you will play a key part in building, operating and maintaining testing rigs and laboratory systems that support prototype development and experimental programmes. You will work closely with engineers, scientists and other technicians, applying practical expertise to ensure experiments are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high technical standard.

You will act as a subject‑matter specialist in defined areas of laboratory practice, take ownership of discrete work activities, and support the development of junior technicians and apprentices.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Carry out hands‑on laboratory and experimental work, including fabrication, assembly, integration, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of testing rigs and equipment
• Support the safe and effective day‑to‑day operation of testing rigs and laboratory facilities
• Apply practical mechanical and/or electrical expertise to translate drawings, schematics and test plans into robust physical setups
• Identify and resolve technical issues during builds and experimental operations, escalating novel or higher‑risk problems as required
• Contribute to risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work within laboratory environments
• Take responsibility for defined operational areas such as tooling, consumables, equipment organisation or calibration coordination
• Maintain accurate records for equipment status, servicing, calibration and experimental activities
• Support the collection, handling and basic processing of experimental data
• Contribute practical input to experimental planning, design reviews and operational improvement activities
• Guide and mentor junior technicians and apprentices, promoting good laboratory practice and safe working
• Work collaboratively with engineers and stakeholders, communicating clearly and professionally

What You’ll Bring

• Relevant technical qualification in a STEM discipline (e.g. HNC/HND or equivalent experience)
• Proven hands‑on experience in laboratory, workshop, prototype or experimental test environments
• Strong mechanical and/or electrical skills (ideally both), with the ability to work confidently from technical drawings and documentation
• Experience assembling, commissioning, operating or maintaining test rigs or experimental equipment
• Awareness of laboratory hazards (e.g. pressure systems, vacuum, cryogenic, high‑voltage systems) and safe working practices
• Experience contributing to risk assessments and safety documentation
• Ability to work independently within established procedures and manage competing tasks
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Experience supporting or guiding less‑experienced colleagues

UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role.

We have a generous range of benefits (see the full list here) and highlights include:

• A salary of £43, 702 (inclusive of a 3,300 specialist allowance)
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus 2.5 'privilege' days; 8 Bank Holidays
• Additional 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
• Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions

Our commitment to ED&I

UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require adjustments to help you participate fairly in our recruitment process, for example changes to the way we interview or share information. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made on merit and further information can be found here.