Lead Electrical Engineer

- Full time
- Department: STEP
- Salary: £48,208 to £62,746 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
- Confirmed Grade: Level 5 / Level 6
- Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

Company Description

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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking an experienced Lead Electrical Engineer to propose, define, manage and deliver major projects and lead project teams on enhancement programmes, future fusion devices and applications of related technology. This is a perfect opportunity for someone to develop their career in a fascinating industry, working on new fusion devices. 

Having gained a relevant electrical engineering degree or with equivalent experience, you will seek creative ways to change, solve problems and push scientific and technical boundaries. You will have previous experience with high-power electrical systems with a size and rating as typically used in power stations and large industry. If you have previous experience of leading teams, we are keen to hear from you, however this experience is not essential.  

What will you be responsible for?

- Specifying and leading projects (or subsections of projects) on major fusion systems, from concept through to detailed design on enhancement programmes for our facilities, as well as for future fusion devices.
- Acting as the technical expert and lead / support in setting the direction of site level projects in this capacity, acting as an authority and advisor for design solutions and/or critical plant operational issues.
- Developing and implementing organisational as well as technical improvements, ensuring compliance within own team to management systems, policies and procedures.
- Using expertise and experience across a range of fields to analyse and critique engineering systems, recommending alternative design routes or courses of action, which may draw from an outside discipline or are truly novel.
- Building and maintaining positive relationships with external parties such as European or international laboratories, universities, strategic customers or suppliers, professional networks. 
- Communicate technical expertise by producing technical reports, departmental notes and journal / conference papers where relevant.
- Representing the organisation at external forums. 
- Proactively develop more junior engineers in areas of expertise, using coaching and mentoring as tools or other approaches as deemed appropriate.

Essential skills, experience and competence required

- A relevant electrical engineering degree or equivalent.
- Ability to seek creative ways to change and solve problems.
- Commercially astute, seeking out new business opportunities and managing potential risks.
- Proven capability in engineering analysis and a good working knowledge of engineering materials and their properties. 
- Experience with high-power electrical systems with a size and rating as typically used in power stations and large industry. 
- Good working knowledge of electrical engineering, power systems, electromagnetism and industrial control. 
- Experience with working to design standards and applying industry best practice. 
- Previous experience of supervising other staff. 
- Good communication at all levels, and technical writing skills. 

In addition to the above, to be considered for the senior level role, you must also have previous experience of leading and directly managing other staff.

Desirable skills, experience and competence required

- Chartered Engineer status with a suitable professional institution. 

What we offer

- A competitive salary  
- A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors 
- An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbeing initiatives 
- Flexible working options including family friendly policies  
- Emergency leave (paid) 
- 30.5 days’ annual leave (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) increased with length of service 
- Wide range of career development opportunities (e.g. professional registration, internal promotions, coaching and mentoring programme)  
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme  
- Annual corporate bonus scheme  
- Relocation allowance (if eligible) 

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from Black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities, (visible and hidden) and women. Our dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner, with the support of our Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion in the organisation to help make our organisation an employer of choice. We are easily accessible by car and are a 10 minute walk from Culham Railway Station.  

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note, all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions (convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or will confirm that there are no such convictions.