Vacuum Engineer

Overview

As part of the ongoing development of the Vacuum, Conditioning and Fuelling (VCF) team, we are seeking a dedicated and skilled Vacuum Engineer to play a vital role in the design, development, implementation, and management of VCF projects. You will be crucial in ensuring the successful delivery of projects, fostering collaboration, and advancing our VCF systems.

The VCF Team are responsible for, and the Vacuum Engineer role would be highly involved with the following systems.

• Vacuum (RV-UHV) Systems
• System Interfaces, Control & Instrumentation
• Vessel Conditioning, GDC, Boronisation, Bakeout
• UHP Gas Supply & Distribution
• Gas Fuelling, Gas Impurity Injection
• Frozen Pellet Injection
• Lithium Handling and Evaporation
• Surface Analysis, Material Deposition
• Material Outgassing Analysis
• VCF Vacuum Lab Project and Services

This work is continually evolving as we move through successive iterations and you will be expected to identify opportunities and risks as we progress, as well as driving them to resolution.

Opportunity also exists to train as a system operator and form a critical part of the experimental operations team.

System Design and Implementation: The design and implementation of VCF systems. Collaborate with the team to develop innovative solutions that meet project specifications and requirements.

System Performance Optimisation Monitor and evaluate the performance of VCF systems. Identify areas for improvement and implement optimization strategies to enhance system efficiency and effectiveness.

Data Analysis and Reporting Collect and analyse data related to VCF projects. Assist with the preparation of detailed reports and presentations for stakeholders, highlighting key findings and progress. Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and project improvements.

Problem-Solving and Troubleshooting Address technical challenges and issues that arise during project execution.

Safety and Compliance Promote and enforce a culture of safety within the VCF team.

Project Planning and Management Assist with the planning, execution, and completion of VCF projects.

Collaboration and Communication Work closely with colleagues and external partners to ensure the successful delivery of VCF projects

Future Trends and Innovation Stay informed about emerging trends and technologies in the VCF field.

Requirements

• Engineering / physics / materials science degree or equivalent combinations of qualifications and work experience.
• Familiarity with vacuum & gas systems
• Practical experience relevant to a selection of below:

-   UHV/UHP systems, especially for fusion applications. Pumping systems, metrology, chamber design & technology.

-   Vacuum/gas system modelling, design & safety

-   Materials selection for vacuum, outgassing & RGA analysis

-   Hands-on troubleshooting / leak checking

-   Developing scientific instrumentation

-   Industrial scale heating systems

-   Thin film deposition and surface analysis

-   Gas / pellet injection systems

• Knowledge of process improvement
• Confident reading and interpreting technical and electrical drawings
• Active listening and communication
• Time & resource management
• Highly flexible and adaptable

 Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties

 This job may include the following hazards or safety-critical activities which will require successful pre-employment health screening through our occupational health service before the successful candidate will be allowed to start work:

• Working at height (ladders, scissor lifts, cherry pickers & scaffolding)
• Working with ionising radiation
• Regular manual handling
• Working with electricity (LV & HV)
• Work with cryogenic fluids including liquid nitrogen
• Working with or in the vicinity of equipment that produces high magnetic fields
• Working with materials that are managed under the control of substances hazardous to health regulations (COSHH)