Control & Instrumentation Engineer

Tokamak Energy is a global leader in fusion energy and high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies. We work with governments and industry to develop and bring fusion and HTS solutions to market through innovation and strategic partnerships. A major part of this is our end to end capability in HTS systems, from design to manufacturing.

We are the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK Government's STEP Fusion programme, under a £70 million contract running to 2029, working with UK Fusion Energy to deliver HTS magnet systems for the STEP prototype power plant, while also contributing to tokamak systems and plasma integration.

Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Tokamak Energy is headquartered in Oxfordshire, with subsidiaries in the United States and Japan. Today, we employ over 300 people and have secured more than £280 million in investment.

We operate through three divisions:

Fusion - Fusion energy technologies, expertise and testbeds for government and private fusion programmes, including ST40, the world’s highest field spherical tokamak.

TE Magnetics - HTS systems for commercial applications including fusion energy, power distribution, life sciences, and propulsion.

Ridgway Machines - Manufacturing equipment for the superconducting, electrical and wider energy sectors, enabling the rapid industrialisation of HTS products.

We're looking for a practical, hands-on engineer who enjoys solving problems, working with advanced equipment and contributing to cutting-edge technology. This role would suit someone from a vacuum, semiconductor, scientific instrumentation, process plant, Formula One, research laboratory, aerospace, energy or similar high-tech engineering environment.

This role offers the opportunity to work on complex engineering challenges, designing, installing and maintaining instrumentation and control systems that support advanced fusion research and development.

What You'll Be Doing

Working within the Vacuum Conditioning & Fuelling team, you will be responsible for:

• Designing electrical and instrumentation solutions
• Producing wiring diagrams, schematics and technical documentation
• Supporting electrical and control system installations
• Developing and maintaining instrumentation systems
• Troubleshooting electrical and control system faults
• Supporting commissioning and testing activities
• Working closely with mechanical, vacuum and operations teams
• Driving continuous improvement of existing systems
• Ensuring systems operate safely and reliably

Requirements

Essential

• Experience designing or supporting electrical, instrumentation or control systems
• Ability to read and produce electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting capability
• Experience commissioning, testing or maintaining technical equipment
• Knowledge of electrical safety principles
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple disciplines

Desirable

• Experience with high-voltage systems
• Experience with PLCs, control systems or automation
• Instrumentation and data acquisition experience
• Experience working in R&D, scientific, manufacturing or industrial environments
• Electrical HND, Degree, Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification
• Experience within fusion, scientific instrumentation, aerospace, semiconductor or advanced manufacturing sectors

Benefits

• Salary range up to £50,000 dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, plus discretionary festive shutdown
• Performance-led rewards including discretionary bonus, innovation and merit schemes
• Share options - a stake in our future success
• Pension and comprehensive financial protection package including death in service and critical illness cover
• Health and wellbeing support, including cash plan and 24/7 assistance
• Ongoing investment in your growth with training and career progression
• Be part of world-changing innovation in Fusion Energy

Important information for candidates

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.