Senior C&I Engineer

Fusion Energy Base; Culham; On-site; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fusion energy organization in Culham seeks a Senior C&I Engineer to play a critical role in optimizing machine operations and support systems. The role requires extensive experience in electrical systems, programming PLCs, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams. Candidates should possess a degree in Electrical or Control & Instrumentation Engineering and significant expertise in design, installation, and testing of systems. Excellent perks such as a defined benefit pension and flexible working options are part of the offer.

Benefits

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%

Generous leave allowance starting with 25 days

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proficient in programming PLCs.
• High level of experience in design, installation and testing of C&I systems hardware.
• Understanding of Functional Safety standards IEC 61508 and IEC 62061.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of critical operational systems.
• Lead activities within MAST-U Integrated Commissioning & Restart.
• Manage configuration control and ensure all changes are agreed and captured.

Skills

Programming PLCs

Design and installation of C&I systems

Experience with Visual Basic or similar

Computer networking literacy

Cable management software experience

Education

Degree in Electrical/C&I Engineering or equivalent

Job description

The salary for this role is £56,596 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 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.

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As Senior C&I Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the Machine Control and Protection Team – responsible for systems providing electrical, electronics & control and instrumentation support to machine operations and diagnostics systems. These systems include MAST Upgrade (MAST-U) machine control, real‑time & hardwired protection and Personal Access Safety System (PASS). In addition, the team supports any engineering requirement for Diagnostic and Enhancement projects within MAST-U.

The post holder will troubleshoot, design and deliver high‑level electrical systems to optimise and maintain MAST‑U operations. The post holder will be responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of critical operational systems and lead activities within MAST‑U Integrated Commissioning & Restart.

Plan/implement Schneider PLC & iFIX SCADA software/hardware changes, manage configuration control, and ensure all changes are agreed and captured.

Deliver safely and cost‑effectively; act as RO/SME for protection subsystems (maintenance schedules, fault support); close out ATO/safe‑working actions and coordinate with Beam Control, Diagnostics, Plasma & Z‑control, and Power Supplies for safe/efficient ops.

Help define/control‑system strategy and spares/stock; review/analyse performance with weekly reporting; act as Project Engineer/Manager for procedures, plant docs, and RAMS; manage suppliers and costs within budget.

Lead multi‑disciplinary teams (staff, contractors, apprentices) and work toward appointment as MEiC (MAST‑U Engineer in Charge) during operations/engineering periods.

£56,596 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

• Degree in Electrical/C&I Engineering or equivalent, or qualified by experience
• Must be proficient in programming PLCs
• Must demonstrate a high level of experience in design, installation and testing of C&I systems hardware.
• Experience with Visual Basic or similar programming languages
• Computer networking literacy
• Understanding of Programmable control systems standard IEC 61131
• Understanding of Functional Safety standards IEC 61508 and IEC 62061
• Experience with cable management software
• Experience with cable and circuit protection sizing

UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under‑represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our "Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion" (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and take steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] 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.

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.
• 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.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

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What can I expect from the application process at UKAEA?

Once you have submitted a formal application via our website, all CVs will be reviewed shortly after the closing date of the advert.

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 realising 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: Innovation, Commitment, Trust, and Collaboration.

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