Mechanical Design Engineer

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
Location : Aldermaston, West Berkshire (On-Site role).
We are located between Reading and Basingstoke with onsite parking.
Package : £35,720 - £52,000 (depending on suitability, qualifications and level of experience)
Closing Date: 25th April 2024
Roles Available
The Nuclear Physics Package (NPP) Group design, build, test and substantiate the safety and effectiveness of the UK's nuclear deterrent maintaining the Continuous At Sea Deterrent through pioneering science and computational methods. We also use our nuclear know-how and technical expertise to provide innovative solutions that support the UK’s nuclear threat reduction activities.
Due to an increase in workload, we are currently recruiting for several roles across engineering.
If you’ve ever wondered how a component fits into the wider system, or why it’s been designed a certain way, or even why a tolerance on a drawing is so tight? These opportunities will give you insight into all of this, and much more!
Below is a brief summary of the different opportunities.

• Product Design Team - working with multi-discipline teams across the business to deliver innovative design solutions to a variety of unique engineering challenges, from concept to substantiation and providing through life engineering support for current and future systems.
  
• Hydrodynamic Trials - design, build and field the extraordinary engineering tests and trials that underpin the pioneering science and computational methods that substantiate the safety and effectiveness of the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent. This role will give successful candidates the opportunity to design complex systems with unique materials, build those designs with their own hands, and test them in extreme environments at unique test facilities in the UK and abroad.
  
• Threat Response Team - Design, development, manufacture and assembly of hardware to support projects, trials and capability demonstrators. Support operational response through the provision of training aids and the undertaking of threat assessments for UK Government Departments.
  

Responsibilities:

• Delivery of own agreed objectives / project deliverables
  
• Being directly responsible for engaging with stakeholders across the company to progress design activities, ensuring compliance with safety, security and performance with input from subject matter experts. Aid planning activities for future design activities
  
• Contribute to the planning and execution of tasks in order to deliver specific agreed objectives on time; demonstrating control of cost and quality
  
• Support the progress of designs through product lifecycle
  
• Understanding of the hazards and associated risks of any work conducted and, where required, safely use specialised equipment
  
• Understanding customer requirements and being able to translate these into engineering solutions
  
• Contribute to the delivery of conceptual designs, detail designs, manufacturing specifications, operational documentation and validation evidence for mechanical engineering solutions in relation to defined requirements
  
• Contribute to the production and delivery of high-quality technical reports and presentations
  
• Identify and support opportunities for cost savings, efficiency and business improvement
  
• Assist the Technical Lead in managing partnerships
  
• Support the Senior Engineer in scoping, planning, and estimating future activities
  
• Organise personal training and development under the guidance of a professional mentor
  

To be considered for this role you must have:

• A Degree, HND/HNC or an equivalent vocational qualification, in an engineering discipline supported by considerable practical experience, with or working towards professional registration
  
• Awareness of Destructive and Non-destructive testing techniques for product certification and through life monitoring
  
• Awareness of the development, testing and evaluation of Engineering designs
  
• Experience of producing outline designs
  
• Experience of preparing technical reports and documentation
  

Experience/understanding of any of the following would be advantageous, but not essential as role specific training will be given:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) including configuration management and quality control
  
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems
  
• Engineering drafting to BS8888 with GD&T
  
• Substantiating engineering designs for safety and performance
  
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and its limitations
  
• Machine tools and manufacturing processes
  
• Additive manufacturing processes and technologies
  
• Static and dynamic environmental testing
  
• Material selection and testing
  
• Working to British and ISO Standards
  

What will you get from us?
As part of our People Promise, AWE ( one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK ) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including Bank Holidays).
  
• 9-day working fortnight - every other Friday off work.
  
• Flexible working hours.
  
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time.
  
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
  
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training.
  
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
  
• A market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution).
  
• Life Assurance.
  
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending savings.
  
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family.
  
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site.
  

Important things you need to know:

• You must be a UK national who has been resident in the UK for the past 10 years.
  
• Interviews will be 90 minutes in length and will be held over Microsoft Teams. You will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation in advance.
  
• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.
  

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* Agencies: Please note that we do not out-source our recruitment
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.