Graduate RACE Mechanical Engineer - Graduate Scheme 2024

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 ground-breaking 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."

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, 
• Emergency  paid leave , Generous annual leave allowance  (30.5 days) increased with length of service,
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture  committed to being fully inclusive

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) , including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As Graduate RACE Mechanical Engineer ,

you will play a pivotal role performing a variety of engineering tasks designed to provide experience & familiarization with staff, methods, practices, & programs of the organisation. This may include operating, maintaining & demonstrating equipment. The role holder will be expected to manage their own development continuously working towards building their knowledge & skills.

It is expected that the Graduate Mechanical Engineer will perform a variety of tasks across the three disciplines covering Technical / Professional knowledge, Project Management and People Management.

Graduate Mechanical Engineers will support RACE and UKAEA’s organisational objectives in developing fusion-relevant robotic technologies throughout the engineering lifecycle. Supported by experienced engineering and project management staff, they will develop skills and knowledge on the job to perform their roles, which will include the following activities:

• Concept and Design Development
• Realisation and Testing
• In-Service Support
• Project Management and Reporting

UKAEA’s two-year graduate scheme is split by 80% of your time developing both your general work-related skills and professional qualifications and 20% of your working time dedicated to graduate training and development.  Within the 20% training and development, there is a core suite of activities designed to develop your professional and business skills. Elements of this programme are flexible and can be tailored to your personal development needs and to those of your specific job role. 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Produce papers and written reports for review by internal and external stakeholders.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team of technical and non-technical staff.
• Follow UKAEA procedures and processes to ensure that work is carried out safely and to the required quality.
• Report progress and raise concerns with Project Managers. 
• Carry out tests to investigate and optimise performance or to demonstrate compliance with system requirements.

Essential Requirements:

• Recognised suitable engineering degree
• Demonstrates a good understanding of engineering principles and how they a can be applied.

To be considered you will need to have successfully completed your degree within the past 2 years at a UK university, and will possess a relevant degree from within the specialisms listed.

You will need to be self motivated, demonstrate the ability to work well with others, and have an interest in the development of a cleaner energy. Additionally, you will be passionate about self-development and you should have a proactive approach to your work with an enthusiasm to achieving your full potential.  

A full list of our benefits can be found here

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks:  If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.