Senior Cryogenics Engineer

Overview

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.

• 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.

For a step‑by‑step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page:

The salary for this role is £56,596 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

This role can be based at any of the following sites:
Culham, Oxfordshire
.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

As Senior Cryogenics Engineer
, you will play a pivotal role in providing expertise to a small team working on significant projects such as the STEP cryoplant and cryodistribution system, engaging with both commercial suppliers and cryogenics users across STEP to define the system requirements. The STEP Cryogenic System will be among the largest in the world, comparable to those at ITER and CERN.

• Process and equipment design and selection.
• Design of P&IDs, heat and mass balances and supporting documentation.
• The planning and performing of simulation analysis and validating analysis carried out by others.
• Presenting strategic reports to senior management; contributing to negotiations for resources and budget.
• Selection of design standards and the validation of designs against those standards, by computation or experimentation.
• Vendor management, including managing significant contracts.
• Engaging with industry and the wider cryogenics sector to drive innovative developments.
• Supervising and directing the work of junior engineers or students.
• Preparing papers for journals and conferences, presenting at seminars and conferences.
• Ensuring safety requirements are met.

• Degree or equivalent in Cryogenic, Mechanical or Process Engineering, or equivalent STEM subject.
• Extensive experience in cryogenics. This experience could be from a laboratory or an industrial setting.
• Modelling and simulation experience using CFD and thermal analysis with software such as MATLAB Simulink, MATLAB coding, ANSYS and/or COMSOL.
• Process engineering design of cryogenic systems using simulation tools like ASPEN HYSYS/PLUS, MATLAB, MATLAB Simulink.
• A good working knowledge of engineering materials and their properties.
• Excellent collaboration skills including written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Demonstrable ability to work and communicate with a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Demonstrable understanding of modern project management tools and methodology.

• Design, development, and construction of cryogenic distribution systems (cold boxes, valve boxes, transfer lines, heat exchangers) or equivalent.
• Design, specification, and selection of…