Senior Electrical Engineer

C ompany Background

What if there was a limitless, safe, clean, low-cost energy source, providing much needed global energy security?  What if that energy source could also help reduce climate change?  We believe that’s fusion energy.  Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford, UK.  We have an unrivalled track record designing and operating spherical tokamaks; the optimal route to commercial fusion energy.

In addition to fusion energy, Tokamak Energy is recognised as the leader in High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnet, design, numerical modelling, and prototyping. Our dedicated HTS magnet team, in collaboration with key manufacturing partners, is focussed on becoming the leading supplier of HTS magnets to multiple markets.

The company, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK’s Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, currently employs a growing team of over 250 people with experts from the UK and around the world. It combines world leading scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities.  The company has 70 families of patent applications and has raised $250 million, comprising $200m from private investors and $50m from the UK and US governments. Our US subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019.

Come and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team who are striving to provide a solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: clean and sustainable energy for all.

Overview of the role

The Electrical Systems team is responsible for the design, installation, commissioning and operation of all DC and pulsed power supplies as well as the installation and commissioning of the power distribution, controls, diagnostics and safety systems for ST40 and future tokamak projects.

The successful candidate will develop, implement and maintain HV power supplies for our groundbreaking tokamak projects. They will possess a deep technical understanding of HV power supply systems, including design, analysis, and operation, with a particular focus on HV safety, and will act as a technical authority in this area.

In this role, you will:

• Lead in the safe design, specification, and implementation of HV power conversion systems using your power electronics knowledge and experience
• Hold asset ownership of all HV power supplies including for Neutral Beam Injectors, Gyrotrons, and HV field coils on ST40, as well as future devices and test beds
• Provide expert guidance on HV earthing and safety interlock systems
• Serve as the go-to expert for HV electrical safety matters, guiding policies, and practices to safeguard personnel and equipment. Author risk assessments and installation method statements for projects and oversee safe operation of plant.
• Work on electrical and electronic systems across other associated plant, including gas and vacuum systems, auxiliary heating, diagnostics etc., as necessary
• Support the business with the application of electrical safety policy in the capacity of an appointed person

Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties

This job includes the following hazards or safety-critical activities:

• Working at height (ladders, scissor lifts, cherry pickers & scaffolding)
• Occasional night working (11pm-6am)
• Working with ionising radiation
• Working with electricity (LV & HV)
• Working with or in the vicinity of equipment that produces high magnetic fields
• Working with materials that are managed under the control substances hazardous to health of regulations (COSHH)
• Travel outside of Europe or North America on company business

Essential

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in electrical or electronic engineering
• Extensive practical experience of high-power HV power electronic converter design, specification, analysis, commissioning and operation
• Experience of power electronics simulation in PLECS or equivalent
• Ability to author, edit and interpret electrical drawings using AutoCAD or equivalent
• Experience in the design, specification, commissioning and operation of industrial electrical and electronic systems
• Experience in electronics design and PCB layout using Eagle, Altium or equivalent
• Experience in the development and application of electrical safety policy and safe working practice (ideally as an Authorised or Senior Authorised Person)
• Experience of planning and supervising electrical installations and able to supervise others in high risk areas
• Ability to work independently
• Good decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organisational skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Experience in HV power distribution system design, specification, analysis, commissioning, and operation
• Thorough experience in the of the application of BS 7671
• Familiarity with industrial control, including discrete controllers and centralised control systems
• Familiarity with PLCs and fieldbus communication
• Experience of mechanical design, fabrication and assembly
• Experience of high-power busbar design

• Familiarity with Functional Safety Systems

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and 3 festive days to be used between Christmas and the New Year)
• Company pension scheme
• Eligible for company share option scheme
• Company bonus scheme, discretionary, dependent on performance
• A range of financial benefits including death in service and critical illness cover
• Cycle to work scheme

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.

Important information for candidates

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:

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.

Working arrangements

Please note this role does offer hybrid working, our model sets out a minimum 60% onsite / 40% home working split.

Part time working or job share options will be reviewed on an individual basis.