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 leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

As an employee of UKAEA 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 equality and being fully inclusive

What to expect in our recruitment process:
For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process

The salary for this role is £57,117, inclusive of Specialist Allowance, plus an excellent benefits package, including an outstanding pension.

This role is based in Culham, Oxfordshire. Whilst hybrid working can be discussed where business needs allow, this is a predominantly site-based role and regular onsite attendance is expected.

Due to the operational nature of the role, you will regularly work outdoors across UKAEA sites and electrical infrastructure. During operational activities, commissioning or project delivery, you should expect to work onsite up to five days per week, depending on operational requirements.

The Role

The Power Distribution Group provides engineering expertise in the design, operation and development of high-voltage (HV) and high-power low-voltage (LV) electrical distribution networks, supporting UKAEA sites at Culham and Rotherham, as well as UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) in West Burton.

As a Senior Electrical Power Engineer, you will apply your specialist technical expertise to the design, analysis, commissioning and operation of HV electrical distribution systems. Working across significant engineering projects, you will support the delivery of enhancement programmes, future fusion devices and high-performance computing infrastructure, providing expert technical advice and engineering solutions to complex operational and project challenges.

Due to the operational nature of the role, you will also participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota (currently one week in every four) to support operational requirements. Appropriate remuneration is provided in line with UKAEA policy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, commission and test HV and LV electrical distribution systems from concept through to operation.
• Deliver technical work packages across significant engineering projects, ensuring work is completed safely, on time and to the required quality standards.
• Undertake electrical engineering studies including power flow, protection and fault analysis using industry-standard software such as ETAP.
• Carry out testing, commissioning and operation of HV switchgear and associated electrical equipment.
• Provide specialist technical expertise across HV distribution networks, including systems operating at 11kV, 33kV, 132kV and 400kV.
• Support the operation and continual improvement of complex industrial electrical distribution networks, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, standards and engineering best practice.
• Produce high-quality technical documentation and provide expert engineering advice to support project delivery and operational activities.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent), or able to demonstrate significant relevant industrial experience within HV power systems.
• Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status, or actively working towards professional registration.
• Hands-on experience testing and commissioning electrical switchgear and HV distribution systems up to 33kV.
• Proficient in the use of ETAP to undertake HV network design studies and analysis.
• Experience designing HV earthing systems, including undertaking earthing calculations.
• Good understanding of HV electrical distribution systems, protection principles and relevant engineering standards.
• Strong communication and technical report writing skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working on HV networks operating above 33kV, including 132kV and 400kV systems.
• Experience testing and commissioning protection relays.
• Proven capability in engineering analysis and the application of first engineering principles.

This role requires the successful candidate to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which includes a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and, where appropriate, open-source background checks.

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

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.  

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.