TOKAMAK Operations Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy research organization located in the UK is seeking an experienced engineer to join their team. This role involves technical analysis, development of CAE tools, and ensuring safety and compliance in fusion operations. Candidates must possess strong analytical skills and ability to interact with various engineering disciplines. Onsite work is required with opportunities for flexible arrangements. A strong understanding of plant integrity and operational issues is essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Experience with numerical solutions and multi-disciplinary simulations.
• Proficiency in using and developing computer aided engineering (CAE) tools.
• Ability to conduct technical investigations and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Analyses ranging from first principles and multi-disciplinary simulation.
• Manage schedules of reference calculation methods for fusion component design.
• Monitor MAST-U operations to ensure personnel safety and equipment integrity.

Job description

The salary for this role is £56,596 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. This role can be based at any of the following sites; Culham, Oxfordshire. This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

Responsibilities

• Analyses ranging from first principles, numerical solutions and multi-disciplinary simulation.
• Use and development of computer aided engineering (CAE) tools to simulate design functionality and qualify performance; manage schedules of reference calculation methods and tools for use in a fusion component design.
• Relevant benchmarking experiments, physical tests or plant demonstrations.
• Behaviour of complex / interacting plant systems.
• Impact of lifetime degradation effects.
• Define the MAST-U Operating Instructions (MOIs) with input from appropriate experts to ensure the availability of the machine for operations. Monitor MAST-U operations with respect to the MOIs to ensure that the operation of MAST-U does not impact Personnel Safety, the fatigue lifetime or integrity of the machine. Implement revisions to existing MOIs or introduce new ones as required. Equipment failure can result in damage to plant (value many 10's M€) beyond economic repair and catastrophic to the corporate plan. Work with the team in realising new measurements needed for machine operation and protection.
• Diagnose and resolve issues of plant integrity and plant protection. Ensure that the operation of the experimental facilities has an appropriate balance between performance, reliability and lifetime.
• Identify improved ways of operating the research machines to enhance their performance within the existing capabilities of the available plant.
• Undertake technical investigations and assessments into design or operational issues.
• Undertake 'fitness for purpose' reviews.
• Technical Risk Assessment & Management for competing requirements (Reliability, Safety, Performance, Lifetime).
• Lead risk-based exceptions / tailored applications based on a clear understanding of the rationale for the rules.
• Subject matter expert for specific regulations. Author compliance processes or procedures within a diverse business; Member of relevant industry working groups and standards development organisations.
• Work with and interpret between multiple engineering disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, radiological, product lifecycle management, asset management, process engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, physics.
• High level of interaction with people at all levels in the Department.