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.
What to expect in our recruitment process: see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process
Job Details
The salary for this role is £57,117 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 days 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 recruiting a Principal Testing Rigs & Labs Technician to provide senior‑level technical leadership within our experimental laboratories. This highly practical role combines deep hands‑on expertise with day‑to‑day operational responsibility for testing rigs, laboratory equipment and experimental activities. You will be the principal technical authority for laboratory operations, ensuring experiments are built, commissioned and run safely, efficiently and to a high technical standard. Working closely with engineers, scientists and programme teams, you will translate experimental designs into robust, real‑world test setups, mentor technicians and apprentices, and help evolve laboratory capability to meet the needs of novel and emerging technologies.
Key Accountabilities
- Take day‑to‑day ownership of the safe and effective operation of testing rigs and laboratory facilities
- Act as the technical lead for experimental build, commissioning, operation and decommissioning activities
- Translate experimental designs into safe, buildable and high‑quality physical test setups
- Provide hands‑on leadership during complex or novel experimental work, troubleshooting issues and reducing technical risk
- Ensure laboratory assets, tooling and equipment are maintained, organised, calibrated and fit for purpose
- Lead risk assessment, safe systems of work and incident investigation within laboratory environments
- Generate and maintain technical procedures, experimental documentation and high‑quality test data records
- Support continuous improvement of laboratory processes, workflows, tooling and instrumentation
- Supervise, mentor and develop technicians and apprentices, setting high standards of professionalism and safety
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to clarify requirements, provide expert guidance and manage expectations
- Deputise for the Testing Rigs and Labs Operations Manager when required
Qualifications
Essential Requirements
- A relevant technical qualification in a STEM discipline or equivalent practical experience
- Extensive hands‑on experience in laboratory, prototype or experimental test environments
- Strong mechanical and/or electrical technical capability
- Experience delivering and operating complex experimental setups (e.g. pressure, vacuum, cryogenic or high‑voltage systems)
- Proven ability to take ownership of laboratory operations and experimental delivery
- Ability to interpret and produce engineering and technical documentation
- Experience supervising, mentoring or coaching technical staff or apprentices
- Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work autonomously
Desirable Requirements
- Degree in engineering or a related discipline
- Knowledge of manufacturing machining (e.g. milling & turning)
- Experience working in R&D or novel technology environments
- Familiarity with laboratory compliance frameworks (e.g. COSHH, PUWER, LOLER or similar)
- Experience integrating instrumentation, control systems or data acquisition into experimental rigs
- Involvement in laboratory upgrades, facility fit‑out or new capability introduction
Additional Information
- This role requires regular hands‑on work in laboratory and workshop environments.
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.
Vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.
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