Component Validation Engineer

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 have an excellent opportunity for a Component Validation Engineer to join our team, working autonomously to explore your own research interests in line with UKAEA strategic goals and this technical area, at our new Yorkshire site. As the senior figure at our new site, this role provides you with the opportunity to have a direct influence and take the lead on executing the Materials Technology programme at the component level and for testing other in-vessel and ex-vessel fusion technologies.

We are looking for you to display the motivation to establish your own research group in the emerging arena of full-field experimental mechanics for component validation, and you will receive strong support from a diverse and multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers working in complementary areas.

You will be able to demonstrate exceptional time management and decision-making skills as well as the ability to communicate well, solve problems and influence others effectively.

Job Description

What will you be responsible for?

- Working closely with component design engineers to provide experimental validation of component performance models

- Working closely with materials engineers to develop representative materials testing to support component validation and component/materials development/improvement

- Performing people management responsibilities as the group grows

- Working on the publication of research in leading scientific journals and writing proposals for collaborative bids to bring in external funding

- Setting up your own specialist laboratory and research group, conceptualising, initiating and maintaining collaborative projects to support component development, both internally and externally with other organisations and universities

- Leading the techniques in full-field experimental mechanics to quantify component performance

Qualifications

Essential skills, experience and competences required:

- Implementation of solid/continuum mechanics skills in R&D programmes

- Experimental thermo-mechanical testing

- Knowledge of modelling component performance, e.g. with FE-based continuum mechanics models

- Programming/coding for routine development

- PhD in solid mechanics, mechanical/materials engineering or equivalent

- Strong solid/materials mechanics or continuum mechanics component to formal qualification

- Demonstrable experience of influencing and negotiating at all levels of an organisation

- Previous experience of working with multidisciplinary teams, with exceptional communication skills to build trust and problem solve effectively

Desirable skills, experience and competences:

- R&D experience in the performance of in nuclear materials engineering, fusion materials and radiation damage

- Digital image correlation systems

- Modelling component performance, e.g. with FE-based continuum mechanics models

- Experience in use/development of design rules/codes

- Knowledge and experience of preparing research proposals and/or project planning

- Experience of supervising, mentoring or training

Additional Information

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 is due to close on 3rd of March 2021. We may close earlier than this date 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.