Mechanical Design Engineer

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £31,931 to £34,709 (Band D) or £39,748 to £44,166 (Band E) per annum (dependent on skills and experience). A Specialist Allowance of up to £5,000 per annum is also available for this role
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: This role will be based at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire, due to the nature of the work.

Come and do the kind of engineering that made you want to be an engineer. Stretch your technical skills while building human understanding. Promote sustainability and create new materials. Alongside world-leading scientists and technologists, shape projects that improve lives in the UK and far beyond.

Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best. 

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is one of the world’s leading laser centres, providing scientists mainly from the UK and continental Europe with access to an unparalleled range of pioneering laser technology. The CLF has around 180 staff and its function - user facility, international research – makes it a very friendly, outgoing, externally facing sort of place. It has a welcoming and inclusive culture, and you will find that people will naturally help and support you. 

The CLF is building a new laser centre - the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC) and is seeking new team members to help to build this and to contribute to our existing facilities. EPAC is an £81M facility that will use lasers developed by our team to drive new types of novel particle and radiation beams that can be applied to a wide range of problems in science and industry. We are looking for people like you to be a part of our friendly and enthusiastic team.

You will work closely with scientists working as part of a team to design, build and maintain a wide range of engineering systems. 

As a Mechanical Design Engineer your responsibilities will include either supporting (Band D) or leading (Band E) the following:

•    Design of vacuum systems and hardware used in high vacuum.
•    Design of high purity gas systems and gas infrastructure.
•    Design of motion systems for large optics.
•    Design of chambers and structures.
•    Work package management and management of safety (Band D).
•    Staff management, project management and management of safety (Band E).

You should be a self-motivated individual with excellent communication skills. The job involves working closely with research scientists, electrical engineers and leading university research groups from Europe and the UK. 

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. 

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible.

Person Specification

The following criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

Essential for Band D

•    HNC or HND, or equivalent degree (BEng), in mechanical engineering along with experience working in an engineering field. (S) 
•    Experience working in a mechanical engineering or multi-disciplinary engineering environment. (S&I)
•    Have an understanding of fundamental mechanical engineering principles, such as: Materials, Stress/Strain, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer. (I)
•    Experience of CAD and producing manufacturing drawings. (I)
•    Able to multi-task and prioritise against a heavy workload and achieve demanding targets. (I)
•    Knowledge of safety related issues and procedures. (I) 

To be considered for the higher band, in addition to the above criteria, you should also have:

Essential for Band E

•    HNC or HND, or equivalent degree (BEng), or MEng in mechanical engineering along with extensive experience working in an engineering field & evidence of responsibility (budgets/management/risk/safety). (S) 
•    Ability to perform engineering calculations. (I)
•    Previous experience in the management of projects and/or people. (I)

Additional Information

Early applications are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking.  And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. 

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. 

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. 

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 
 
How to apply 

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application. 

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.