By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.
UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground‑breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.
Benefits
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
- Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
- Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
- Wide range of career development opportunities.
- A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.
Recruitment Process
For a step‑by‑step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process
Job Description
The salary for this role is £57,117 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days minimum each week.
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.
The Role
We are seeking a Senior R&D Engineer – Testing & Verification to play a lead role in shaping, planning and delivering experimental test campaigns that underpin STEP’s technology development programmes.
This role sits at the interface between product development, experimental facilities and laboratory operations. You will be responsible for defining verification needs, translating outcome requirements into coherent test programmes, and acting as the test engineer for complex experimental rigs.
Working closely with rig development teams, laboratory operations and technical specialists, you will ensure that testing is planned, executed and reported in a structured, efficient and technically rigorous way, making best use of facility capability.
Key Accountabilities
- Define and plan experimental test campaigns to support technology development and verification activities.
- Pull together testing requirements from product and programme teams, translating outcome‑based needs into optimised test plans.
- Act as the test engineer for experimental rigs, owning test procedures, schedules, data outputs and technical reporting.
- Develop test strategies that balance outcome requirements, safety, rig capability, capacity and programme constraints.
- Work closely with laboratory and rig development teams to ensure testability is designed into new rigs and facilities.
- Represent operational and user requirements within rig and facility development projects.
- Own and manage verification evidence, defining what constitutes acceptable proof of performance and compliance.
- Oversee the execution of tests, ensuring safe systems of work, technical rigour and high‑quality data generation.
- Analyse and report test results clearly, providing decision‑ready evidence to engineers, programme teams and stakeholders.
- Develop technical breadth across a range of rig‑relevant disciplines, building credibility as a trusted testing authority.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of testing methods, experimental standards and verification practices.
Qualifications
Essential Requirements:
- Degree or doctoral‑level qualification in engineering, physics or a related STEM discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Significant experience defining, planning and delivering experimental testing or verification activities.
- Strong understanding of test and verification methodologies in complex or uncertain technical environments.
- Experience working hands‑on with experimental rigs, laboratories or prototype facilities.
- Ability to translate high‑level requirements into structured test plans, procedures and evidence.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with experience interpreting complex experimental data.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work across disciplines and act as a technical interface between engineering, operations and facilities.
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience working in R&D or novel technology environments.
- Familiarity with extreme or hazardous operating conditions (e.g. thermal, pressure, vacuum, cryogenic, electromagnetic).
- Experience contributing to or leading rig or facility development projects.
- Knowledge of systems engineering, robust engineering or verification planning methodologies.
- Chartered engineer status, or working towards it.
Additional Information
- This role requires regular engagement with laboratory and experimental facilities.
- Occasional national or international travel may be required.
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, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.
We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.
UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukaea.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.
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