Specialist Nuclear Materials System Hardware Engineer

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK defense technology firm based in Reading is seeking a professional with proficiency in electronic circuit design and fault finding for control systems. The ideal candidate will have experience working on legacy systems, programming skills in C/C++ and Python, along with an HND in an engineering-related discipline. This role requires strong communication skills and a commitment to maintaining security clearance. A generous benefits package is included, offering competitive salary and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

270 hours of annual leave

Professional career development funding

Employee Assistance Programme

Defined contribution Group Personal Pension

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Paid time off for volunteering

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience on complex or legacy control systems.
• Experience with innovative technologies to reduce obsolescence.
• Ability to work on fault finding and repairs.
• Strong communication skills for internal and external interactions.

Responsibilities

• Gather customer requirements for project contributions.
• Provide second line technical support to production teams.
• Enhance development environments for testing and fault reproduction.
• Support upgrades from X25 RS232 to Ethernet networks.
• Design solutions to replace obsolete components.
• Implement automated test equipment for control systems.
• Modify Pascal code and optimize for EPROMS.

Skills

Fault finding and repair of electronic circuit boards

Proficiency in fault-finding and problem solving

Good familiarity with Microcontrollers (Arduino, ARM, Raspberry Pi)

Electronic design skills (schematic capture and PCB layout)

Programming skills (C/C++ and Python)

Knowledge of creating bespoke Linux environments

Mentoring and coaching skills

Strong communication skills

Education

HND in a relevant engineering/electronic discipline

Job description

Location

Reading area

Package

£36,000 - £45,000pa (dependant on level of experience)

Closing date for this role is 14th February 2024

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site

You will be required to:

• Contribute as part of a team to take on projects by gathering customer requirements, prototyping solutions in both software and electronic hardware, testing and validation of designs creating written evidence and documentation.
• Provide second line support to production teams on technical queries, suggesting solutions, giving support when appropriate which will contribute to our KPI's/SLA's.
• Support and enhance an offline development / simulation environment to enable software and hardware development, testing and fault reproduction for investigations.
• Identify and support opportunities for improving the current X25 RS232 network with a view to upgrade to a robust Ethernet network and designing and implementing ways of loading up comms traffic to simulate real plant scenarios.
• Design and implement new solutions to extend the life of the existing legacy bespoke circuit boards researching modern equivalents to replace obsolescent components.
• Design and implement automated test equipment to replace the manual test process used on the Eurocard based control system, record faults found and highlight common issues.
• To improve and undertake modifications to the Pascal code on an OS9 development platform and compile, optimise and create EPROMS from the binary code produced.

To be considered for this role, you will ideally have demonstrable experience of the following:

• Working on complex or legacy control systems.
• Implementation of innovative ways to utilise new technologies to remove subsystem obsolescence.
• Fault finding and repair of electronic circuit boards to component level.
• Proficiency in fault-finding and problem solving.

• Good familiarity with Microcontrollers such as Arduino, ARM and Raspberry Pi.
• Electronic design skills in schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Programming language skills (C/C++ and python are preferable)
• Knowledge of creating bespoke Linux environments.
• Mentoring and coaching skills.

• Strong communication skills both internal and external customers/suppliers.

You will need to have an HND in a relevant engineering/electronic discipline or proven experience working in a similar environment.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.

AWE plays a crucial role in the defence of the United Kingdom, by providing and maintaining the warheads for the country's nuclear deterrent. We are a centre of scientific, engineering and technological excellence, with some of the most advanced research, design and production facilities in the world. Our unique expertise also assists the UK Government in developing and delivering a range of innovative and integrated support services, including national nuclear security and counter‑terrorism solutions.

AWE is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community which are currently under‑represented at AWE, including women, BAME and disabled people.

Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role at AWE.