Senior / Principal Mechanical Handling Engineer - Nuclear

Are you a Mechanical Engineer, with a background in either Mechanical Handling, or Remote Operations who thrives on difficult problems? Are you drawn to complex design projects and excited by the opportunity to rapidly move on to leadership positions, heading up projects and guiding junior engineers?

If so, you’ll enjoy solving the energy industry’s most important mechanical handling conundrums across a variety of clients. You could be designing systems to package radioactive waste for decommissioning, to handle fuel within new nuclear reactors, to develop maintenance capability for fusion reactors, to support the UK Submarine and Small Modular Rector (SMR) programmes, or to enable one of many renewable energy projects across a growing carbon net zero portfolio. You’re likely to be juggling several projects simultaneously, so enjoying being adaptable is a must! The constant in this role is the complex nature of the jobs and the chance to provide innovative solutions to a range of problems for several appreciative clients.

Whichever energy-related projects you get involved in, you’ll be engaged in the deployment of collaborative solutions to take people out of harm’s way – so you’ll be making an important and rewarding contribution to the safety surrounding our future energy supply.

If you are a self-starter who can deliver multiple projects at the same time, working closely with clients and internal teams to capture requirements, set up projects and deliver right-first-time solutions for the most challenging problems in the energy industry, then we’d love you to apply.

Role requirements:

You will work within small to medium sized teams. To benefit from the collective experience of the team and our clients, and drive innovative thinking, you’ll work in a collaborative and supportive office/site environment for a minimum of half of your working week. You will bring a level of commercial awareness to working within those teams to effectively deliver tasks for multiple workstreams and to deliver to time, quality, and cost. Due to the nature of the business, although you will bring valuable mechanical handling expertise team, your transferrable mechanical engineering skill may be utilised on non-mechanical handling projects within the nuclear industry.

Essential criteria:

• Degree qualified mechanical engineer (or other relevant qualification).
• Experience designing and substantiating mechanical handling or remote handling systems and equipment.
• Experience in writing accurate, detailed, and concise technical reports & specifications (e.g., requirements, design substantiations, basis of analysis, safety case references).
• Comfortable engaging with existing and prospective clients, working at their sites, and investing time in understanding their issues, goals, and processes.
• Experience working in regulated engineering environments and following appropriate Quality Assurance processes.

Desirable criteria:

Please flag if you have experience in any of the following (but still apply if you might enjoy gaining that experience too):

• Nuclear industry experience.
• Specification, design, and implementation of mechanical handling equipment / heavy machinery such as cranes, hoists, grabs, conveyers, and turntables.
• Specification, design and implementation of automation or robotic technologies.
• Working, or authoring bids, within a safety critical and heavily regulated environment.
• Working with design codes such as BS EN13001, BS 2573 or ASME B30.
• LOLER, Machinery Directive and CE/UKCA marking requirements.
• CAD, especially Autodesk Inventor, for 3D modelling and drawing production.
• Hand calculations (use of MATHCAD).

If you are chartered with a relevant professional institute (or approaching application for registration).

Why work for AtkinsRéalis?

The UK is the first major economy to legislate for a Net Zero target by 2050. To achieve this, our Energy Teams are ensuring a mix of secure and sustainable energies that can meet our industry and lifestyle demands today, and in 30 years' time. We help to power our world through exciting new technologies and intelligent cybersecurity systems on projects that vary greatly in size, scope, and scale. So, you'll be creating the right safe and resilient systems across nuclear power, renewables, decarbonisation development, new builds and energy efficiency.

We value your diversity and believe that everyone deserves to thrive – no exceptions. You'll be part of a culture committed to finding new talent from underrepresented groups. We're Disability Confident, an Inclusive Employer, and support STEM Returners. We also want to see more women in senior roles at AtkinsRéalis. In the energy sector, we've signed up to the AXIS Pledge, promising to make equal pay, equal leadership, and equal opportunities a reality.

Security clearance:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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