Principal Technologist

Company Description
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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.
RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments) is based at Culham, within UKAEA, specialising in remote handling and automated systems. RACE’s objective is to create an internationally recognised centre of technical leadership for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments, delivering complex solutions, developing new technologies and supporting UK industry.
As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being**:Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.**

Job Description*
RAICo*
RAICo is an exciting new end user led **R*obotics and **AI Co*llaboration, that brings together fission decommissioning and fusion engineering. It combines the expertise of UKAEA, Sellafield, the NDA and others to deliver a number of key objectives, including:

- The operationalisation of 'this gen' robotics into the nuclear sector.
- Developing remotely operated solutions for decommissioning and a future fusion power plant.
- Developing intelligent customer and supply chain capability and capacity.
- Socio-economic impact in Cumbria.

**Who are we looking for?**
As part of the role, you will be producing high-quality software and providing software engineering expertise to the project teams. You will coach and support Lead Software Engineers to steer their team's towards success. You will also be responsible for hiring and line managing Lead Software Engineers.
**What will you be responsible for?**
- Ensuring high quality engineering outputs, knowledge transfer and appropriate technological alignment between Robotic and Artificial Intelligence related work-packages and projects.
- Contributing expert level design knowledge of digital systems.
- Co-ordinating the implementation of the integration with robotic and intelligent systems.
- Delivering project technical outputs in accordance with time, quality, cost, and risk performance criteria.

There are 3 roles available, 2 will be based in Cumbria and 1 at Culham in Oxfordshire. You will travel between both locations as required - this is not expected to be extensive. On a monthly basis, this could typically be represented as 3 weeks at one location and one week at the other.

Qualifications*
Essential Criteria*
- Degree in Software
- A proven ability of technical leadership in a complex project delivery environment
- Proven expertise's in Software Development
- Proven expertise in software for robotics and remote handling
- Extensive industry experience working in software engineering or related field.
- A strong understanding of software engineering techniques and design principles, including life-cycle, version control and documentation
- Experience with good development practices throughout the software development life-cycle such as version control and testing
- Good interpersonal and communication skills and a proven ability to lead and function as part of a team. Strong track record of interacting with senior stakeholders.

**Desirable Experience**
- Experience with Robotics / Machine Learning / Computer Vision / Automated Planning
- Experience of mathematical modelling and optimisation
- Familiarity with system modelling
- An interest in mobile robotics and engineering
- Understanding of sensor fusion techniques
- Membership of a Professional Institution / Chartered Engineer

Additional Information*
What we offer*
Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant **culture** committed to being fully **inclusive**, an **Employee Assistance Programme** and trained Mental Health First Aiders, **Flexible working options** including family friendly policies, **Emergency **paid* leave**, Generous **annual leave allowance **(30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of **career development opportunities**, outstanding **defined benefit pension scheme**; Corporate **bonus scheme* and a **Relocation** allowance (if eligible).