Senior Magnet Design Engineer - UKIFS Ltd.

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd , a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype. 

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey. 

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from: 

• 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 being fully inclusive 

 A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/  

The salary for this role is £77,239 (Inclusive of a Specialist Skills Allowance)

Employees of UKIFS can be based at either of our sites; West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire, and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

For more information on UKIFS, visit: https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf 

Job Description

The Role  

We are seeking an experienced superconducting magnet design engineer to design, build and test HTS magnets targeting application in the STEP fusion power plant. STEP is likely to require the largest HTS magnets in the world to date and developing successful full-scale first-of-a-kind designs relies heavily on demonstrating key aspects of HTS technology in sub-scale prototypes. You’ll take on the role of lead design engineer, reporting to the STEP Magnets Engineering Manager, and be responsible for delivering the HTS technology development programme which will involve devising strategic test plans and leading a multi-disciplinary team to deliver these plans through the wide range of domestic and international collaborators and industrial partners essential to delivery at pace and to scale.

You’ll specify design activities including cutting-edge multi-physics analyses, oversee magnet fabrication and assembly, and supervise testing of the STEP prototype coils. This involves a deep understanding of sub-component technologies, such as HTS tape selection, assignment, and quality control, high-current HTS cables and feeders, radiation-tolerant magnet insulation, HTS quench detection and protection methodologies, and ac loss tolerant cryogenic cooling systems, all of which will be developed at pace and with controlled risk while interfacing with the broader STEP power plant concept design to specify guiding requirements.

Communicating complex technical challenges and findings in a clear and effective manner to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including non-specialists will be critical to success. The STEP programme has established exciting partnerships internationally and you’ll be required to work collaboratively with those partners as well as seeking out new opportunities to expand our HTS magnets capability further, leveraging the expertise of others.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and non-specialists to design, build and test large HTS magnets.
• Identify HTS magnet technology needs for STEP and devise and deliver development plans for them.
• Pursue opportunities to use existing (internal and external) magnet test facilities and deliver new test capability where necessary.
• Provide HTS magnet technical expertise and strategic technical leadership.
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with industry, research organisations and academia to accelerate delivery.
• Actively coach, mentor, train and develop team members at all levels of seniority and technical understanding in HTS magnet technology.

Qualifications

Essential

• BEng or BSc in an engineering discipline
• Recognised and demonstrable superconducting magnet technical expertise.
• Experience of HTS magnet experimental design and execution.
• Proficiency in the use of electrical and cryogenic laboratory equipment and associated safety considerations.
• Good understanding of HTS magnet design and HTS multi-physics analysis, especially quench.
• Ability to use a range of magnet engineering analysis tools.
• Chartered engineer status (or equivalent evidencable experience) with a suitable professional body.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering novel technology projects to quality, time and budget.
• Extensive experience of leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels in both technical and non-technical terms.

Desirable

• Strong background in the design and operation of HTS magnets.
• Hands-on experience with HTS and associated materials and manufacturing HTS magnets and control systems.
• Experience in cryogenic engineering and sizing cryogenic test equipment.
• Knowledge of tokamak magnet design and/or operation.
• Commercial awareness, project planning and budget management experience.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. 

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukifs.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.  

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.  Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future.  If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.  

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.  We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP