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 leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

The Welding Support Technician provides specialised fitting and fabrication support, applying cutting, welding, and fabrication techniques within a highly skilled mechanical team. You will contribute to the development of UKAEA projects and site activities—including MAST, MRF, RACE, STEP—and support partner organisations across the UK commercial sector. The role also assists with the assembly, maintenance, and installation of a wide range of specialist projects.

Your core responsibilities include:

• Define and carrying out manual machining tasks during operational and shutdown periods to ensure there is no conflict between departments.
• Carry out project installation and commissioning tasks on behalf of the Project Engineer, following through to maintenance and repairs.
• From experience, provide technical support and solutions to a wide range of problems including assembly, weld preparation and fabrication.
• Ensure project tasks are completed on time & to required standards. Works within a scope that is well-defined or set by others.
• Support welding team members to complete cutting, welding and joining tasks

• Recognized engineering apprenticeship, or similar demonstrated experience
• Experience in working under written safe systems of work, method statements and risk assessment.
• Qualified in the safe operation of conventional workshop machine tools.
• Ability to work from detailed drawings and schematics specifically weld detail and symbols.
• Ability to hand/machine prep materials ready for welding.

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

• £32,577 base salary
• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working options

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] 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.