Mechanical Engineer Didcot, England
Job description
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: Band D £31,931 - £34,709 to Band E £39,748 - £44,166 per annum (dependent on skills and experience) *.
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 29.6 hours per week) (We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Open-Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
- This role is eligible for up to £3,000 Responsibility and Retention Allowance gross per annum
Come and do the kind of engineering that made you want to be an engineer. Stretch your technical skills working alongside world-leading scientists and technologists, to answer some of the biggest questions in the universe.
Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best.
STFC’s RAL Space Department carries out an exciting range of world-class space research and technology development. We’ve had significant involvement in over 200 space missions and operate at the forefront of UK Space Research. We are the UK's national laboratory advancing our understanding of space and our environment for the benefit of all, and we take pride in working in an inclusive and collaborative way.
The Mechanical Engineering Group (MEG) within RAL Space is seeking mechanical engineers with the skills required to design, analyse and test space instruments and the specialised equipment used to calibrate them. The roles involve working in multi-disciplinary project teams from conceptual design through to manufacture, assembly, testing and delivery, with close interaction with the various technical disciplines involved.
General Duties:
- Undertake the mechanical tasks of various projects to ensure the work meets the technical requirements and is completed within schedule and budget constraints.
- Design and analyse ground-based calibration equipment, ground-based astronomy instruments and space instruments from concept through to production, testing and delivery.
- Generate documentation to support designs, to assist assembly, to report analysis and test results, and to present designs, analyses, and test results at project reviews.
- Produce detailed drawings of parts and assemblies, ready for manufacture and assembly.
- Supervise the procurement of mechanical parts.
- Supervise the mechanical aspects of assembly, integration and verification, taking a hands-on approach where appropriate.
- Work in accordance with MEG and Department ISO9000 procedures.
- Contribute to the production of proposals with conceptual CAD models and analyses.
For recruitment at Band E, the role includes:
- Manage the mechanical tasks of various projects to ensure the work meets the technical requirements and is completed within schedule and budget constraints.
- Ensure schedules and budgets are monitored and controlled.
Person Specification
Shortlisting (S) & Interview (I) Criteria
- Level 7 (M.Eng. level or equivalent, or higher) qualification in a Mechanical Engineering related discipline, or Level 6 (B.Eng. level or equivalent) qualification plus additional study or relevant experience in the workplace already achieved. [S]
- Experience of working in a mechanical engineering role: performing design and analysis tasks and having designs successfully manufactured and put into service. [S&I]
- Current experience with 3D CAD software and finite element analysis software. [S]
- Knowledge of current 2D drawing standards and an ability to relate 2D and 3D information. [I]
- Knowledge of relevant materials and manufacturing techniques. [I]
- An understanding of the mechanical engineering principles needed to analyse and solve technical problems. [I]
In addition to the above for the Band E position:
- Experience related to more complex projects. [S&I]
- More in-depth understanding of mechanical engineering principles. [I]
- Greater technical and line management experience. [S]
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. They turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
