Senior Robotics Research Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority 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: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

Key benefits:

• Pension scheme
• Corporate bonus up to 7% and Relocation allowance.
• Flexible working options
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Annual leave: 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, plus UK bank holidays

Job Description

Salary: £56,596 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance).

Expected Onsite working: 3 days each week, however we actively support flexible working requests.

Based at Culham, Oxfordshire.

You will 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 Robotics Research Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in providing expertise and leadership for research and technology projects, as well as contributing to developing the research engineering capability of the organisation.

Key Accountabilities:

• Act as expert consultant in technical/domain areas; advise projects and mentor others
• Lead/initiate external contracts or collaborations; maintain professional networks
• Build internal/external relationships to define requirements and future collaborations
• Manage projects and supervise others to meet quality, timelines, and cost goals
• Advise colleagues on research strategy, tech choices, and sustainability planning
• Deliver short- to long-term research projects (weeks to years)
• Diagnose problems and design solutions considering technical and human factors
• Support team development through mentoring and process improvement
• Contribute to enhancing UKAEA’s research culture and best practices

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree in a scientific, engineering, or technical subject (or equivalent experience), with a postgraduate research degree (i.e., PhD) or similar expertise.
• Strong knowledge in engineering design processes, robotics, and experience in developing experimental setups like test rigs or software.
• Proven ability to lead projects, supervise/mentor others, and contribute across the full research lifecycle with a track record of high-quality publications.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate/work with people from diverse technical and non-technical backgrounds.
• Eagerness to explore/learn new technologies, initiate collaborations, and contribute to successful proposals or funding bids.
• Robotic manufacturing processes (e.g., laser cleaning, cutting, additive manufacturing, surface preparation, inspection).
• Radiation hardening or radiation-tolerant electronics.
• Machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), or digital infrastructure.
• Mechanical systems, including sensing, non-destructive testing, and actuation mechanisms.
• Dynamic modelling and systems identification.
• Control theory and intelligent control systems for manipulation or position control.

Desirable:

• Experience of on-site deployments or demonstrations of research.
• Experience of leading multi-organisational collaborative research activities.

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

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukaea.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis