Time Scale Engineer: Precision Clock Systems

National Physical Laboratory; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) seeks a Time Scale Engineer to join the Time & Frequency department in the UK. Reporting to a Senior Engineer, you will contribute to design, calibration, and integration of critical timing infrastructure that underpins national digital services.

You will develop domain knowledge, perform laboratory measurements, specify and procure equipment, maintain records, and support through-life management of hardware assets, with scripting skills valued.

Qualifications

• A degree in Engineering or Science and rigorous problem-solving approach.
• Good task management with ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Scripting skills (Python or Bash) are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Build domain-specific knowledge to support cross-functional teams.
• Perform calibration and measurement activities in laboratories.
• Support through-life management of hardware assets, including specification and procurement of equipment.
• Contribute to engineering artefacts (e.g., compliance reports, obsolescence planning).
• Test and integration of new equipment (e.g., time interval counters).
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to information management.
• Ad-hoc data processing / analysis to review time scale performance.

Skills

Rigorous problem solving

Task management

Scripting (Python, Bash)

Time Scales / Atomic Clocks knowledge

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Job description

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) seeks a Time Scale Engineer to join the Time & Frequency department in the UK. Reporting to a Senior Engineer, you will contribute to design, calibration, and integration of critical timing infrastructure that underpins national digital services.

You will develop domain knowledge, perform laboratory measurements, specify and procure equipment, maintain records, and support through-life management of hardware assets, with scripting skills valued.