Principal Engineer / Technologist - Robotic Handling

Principal Engineer / Technologist - Robotic Handling
Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
Full-time
Department: RACE Operations
Salary: GBP60,317 to GBP63,855 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Confirmed Grade: Level 6
Site Location: UKAEA Cumbria or UKAEA Culham

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. As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values (Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative) that capture the spirit of how we work.

Job Description

RAICo

RAICo is an exciting new end user led Robotics and AI Collaboration, that brings together fission decommissioning and fusion engineering. It combines the expertise of UKAEA, Sellafield, the NDA and others to deliver a number of key objectives, including:

- The operationalisation of 'this gen' robotics into the nuclear sector.
- Developing remotely operated solutions for decommissioning and a future fusion power plant.
- Developing intelligent customer and supply chain capability and capacity.
- Socio-economic impact in Cumbria.

Who are we looking for?

This is a senior role that presents an opportunity to lead the technical development and delivery of state-of-the-art digital robotic systems with near-term applications. The successful candidate will contribute to and implement the strategy for remote handling and related technologies at RACE.

A Principal Engineer / Technologist is required to lead the delivery of complex robotic projects at UKAEA RACE. The role will be focusing on leading the development of handling technologies, required to support end user needs in the nuclear decommissioning sector, supporting both nuclear fusion and fission applications.

If you like the sound of this role, please feel free to apply.

What you will be responsible for?

- Ensuring high quality engineering outputs, knowledge transfer and appropriate technological alignment between Robotic and Artificial Intelligence related work-packages and projects.
- Contributing expertise in terms of design knowledge of control systems and control systems' software.
- Delivering project technical outputs in accordance with time, quality, cost, and risk performance criteria.
- Planning and co-ordinating the specification of control interfaces to remote handling devices.

There are 3 roles available, 2 will be based in Cumbria and 1 at Culham in Oxfordshire. The successful candidates will be required to travel between both locations as required - this is not expected to be extensive.

Delivery of the role will be split between Culham in Oxfordshire and Cumbria. The successful candidate will be required to work between both locations as required. On a monthly basis, this could typically be represented as 3 weeks at one location and one week at the other.

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

- Degree in Control Engineering or a related subject, or equivalent experience.
- A proven ability of technical leadership in a complex project delivery environment.
- Extensive experience in tele-operations systems and mechatronics.
- Demonstrable experience of managing engineering life-cycle projects.
- Expert level knowledge in at least one area of Control systems and Control systems software.
- Expert level knowledge of developing robotic systems for challenging environments and remote handling.
- A strong understanding of software engineering techniques and design principles including life-cycle, version control, documentation.
- Strong software programming capability.
- Experience of the design and practical implementation of Graphical User Interfaces.

Desirable Qualifications:

- PhD in Control Engineering or a related subject.
- Membership of a Professional Institution / Chartered Engineer.
- Experience of working in a related engineering field.
- Experience of developing real time software.
- Experience of designing control systems for servo-actuator systems.
- Knowledge of mathematical modelling and optimisation of servo systems.
- Knowledge of regulations relating to safety of machines.
- Familiarity with system modelling, source code version control systems and network-based communications.
- Experience working with mobile robotics.
- Experience with computer graphics & VR.
- Understanding of sensor fusion techniques.
- Machine learning and Computer Vision experience.
- Understanding of machine safety legislation and standards.
- PhD in Control Engineering or a related subject.
- Membership of a Professional Institution / Chartered Engineer.

Additional Information

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme and a 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 and women. The Executive Team with support from our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 17/ 09/ 2022. 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 or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK Government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.