Science and Technology Facilities Council
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Salary: Band E (S1) £56,509 per annum
Hours: Full time (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, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh
Come and do the kind of engineering that made you want to be an engineer. Stretch your technical skills while building human understanding. Promote sustainability and create new materials. And, alongside world-leading scientists, technicians and technologists, shape projects that improve lives, and daily life, in the UK and far beyond.
Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best.
About Us
The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is the UK’s national centre for the design and production of leading edge astronomical instrumentation and systems. We have a friendly and flexible work environment, on a beautiful site combining the historic Royal Observatory Edinburgh architecture with state-of-the-art modern laboratories.
About The Role
We are looking to recruit a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to work in the Mechanical Engineering Group of the UKATC at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh site.
The mechanical engineering group is one of the disciplinary groups at the ATC from which multi-disciplinary teams are formed to support our existing and future instrument program. This includes development of instruments for the VLT and the ELT telescopes, Earth observation and space telescope projects, and various technology development initiatives.
The technical management aspect of the role is to support the head of group and other senior engineers in developing tools, procedures, and process to support efficient delivery of the instrument program. There will also be some technical management of work packages and line management of junior engineers.
The technical role will involve proposal, evaluation and development of conceptual opto-mechanical systems to meet project requirements and goals. This will include development of mechanical layouts, parts and manufacturing drawings using 3D CAD.
Training will be made available as required in specialist areas or expertise such as Autodesk CAD software, opto-mechanics, vacuum and cryogenics.
Main Responsibilities
* Working with the head of group and other senior engineers to develop the group structure, processes and procedures consistent with the efficient delivery of world-class scientific instrumentation. Deputizing for the head of group.
* Line management, technical supervision and mentoring of junior engineers.
* Developing technical specifications from high level requirements typically within a team including a scientists, project manager and systems engineer. Undertake the conceptual designs to meet these requirements. You will be required to propose and evaluate solutions. Effort and cost estimation will also be required with an aim to deliver quality, safe and efficient products on time.
* Utilizing 3D CAD to develop conceptual design solutions and detailed manufacturing and assembly drawings.
* Structural and thermal analyses will be performed by CAE and traditional methods. While commercial software and text-book techniques will generally be used, you must adapt these methods for the special circumstances of low temperature precision engineering where required. You must have a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of structures, materials, and engineering tolerancing: there are few design codes available.
* Documentation will be produced including, design reports, technical specifications for work to be sub-contracted, test procedures, reports and operation and maintenance manuals.
* The post holder will take part in design reviews, vendor liaison, Assembly/Integration/Testing, commissioning and on occasions the installation at overseas telescopes of individual instruments or sub systems. Networking and collaborating with other engineers and professionals and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
* You may be required to supervise the placing and execution of design work undertaken by agency staff on or off site and by sub-contract manufacturers. You will liaise with laboratory technicians, workshop staff, and scientists to ensure the successful manufacture, inspection and assembly of components and systems. On occasions this will involve co-ordination of the activities of project staff outside the mechanical group.
Benefits
STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.
Person Specification
* Minimum BSc qualification in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
* Extensive experience as a senior design engineer is required including work in at least one of the following fields: precision mechanisms, optics, structures and cryogenics.
* Good working knowledge of mechanical engineering principles.
* Exhibit creativity, vision and problem-solving skills.
* Experience of testing and commissioning.
* Strong communication, organizational and presentational skills, enabling the succinct transfer of information to a wide and diverse audience.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.
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.
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.
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