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. As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values (Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative) that capture the spirit of how we work.

Are you a software engineer who cares about improving the quality of research software? Would you like to work with friendly and committed people on software that will help make fusion energy a reality?

UKAEA has an excellent opportunity for Research Software Engineers (RSE's) and Senior RSE's to join our successful team and collaborate on UKAEA's cutting-edge research projects whilst sharing knowledge and finding support and development opportunities within our large Computing Division.

Software is at the heart of our multi-disciplinary endeavor, and we need RSE's with a broad range of skills and experience to tackle this ambitious challenge. We are particularly interested in hearing about RSE expertise relating to,

• Computational physics and numerical methods
• Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
• AI and Machine learning
• DevOps
• Robotics, Control systems and Embedded software systems
• HPC and Super-computing

Key accountability for RSE roles include:

• Developing research software, ensuring a high-quality sustainable approach.
• Working with others to understand project requirements and plan projects.
• Managing own tasks over days or weeks, with attention to quality, timescales and communication.
• Providing RSE assistance and expertise to scientists and engineers.
• Participating in the research software community, building relationships within UKAEA and more widely. Learning from others and encouraging the adoption of better software engineering practices.

Senior RSEs would be expected to take on more leadership, for example:

• Acting as the lead RSE in significant projects or research domains.
• Providing advice on strategic aspects of projects and programmes.
• Mentoring and supervising the work of others.
• Leading initiatives to transform aspects of software engineering culture and practice.

Essential skills, experience and competence required

• Degree in a scientific, engineering, or technical subject + PhD, or experience working in an academic or industrial research environment
• Demonstrable experience of developing working, understandable software in at least one language used in scientific or engineering applications (particularly Python, C++, Fortran)
• Familiarity with good development practices such as version control and software testing
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and experience of writing software for use by others
• Appetite and ability to learn and apply new technologies
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate well on projects

Desirable skills, experience and competence

• Any of the research or technology disciplines related to UKAEA’s activities
• Data and signal analysis and visualization
• User interface design and web or GUI development
• Computational modelling and numerical simulation
• Working with existing code bases and legacy scientific languages (e.g., older-style FORTRAN, C, IDL, Makefiles)
• Modern languages, tools, and techniques (e.g., Rust, Julia, SYCL)
• Relevant technologies: Git, Gitlab/GitHub, automated testing & CI, build systems, packaging, containerization
• Use of scientific computing platforms such as compute clusters, HPC or cloud systems, as well as alternative/hybrid architectures
• Involvement in the RSE community and/or RSE-related initiatives, teaching & training, community, outreach, or policy work
• Supervising, mentoring, or line managing others (either formally or informally)
• Transforming early-stage research code into sustainable software for wider use
• DevOps skills for configuring and managing deployment of software systems and developer tools in production
• Leadership (generally, and in the context of the above essential and desirable criteria)

Please Note : We are recruiting at both RSE/Senior RSE levels, which would be more suitable for you will be decided after the interviews.

What we offer

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Program and trained Mental Health First Aider's, 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 (up to 7% for Levels 1 - 7, as well as 3rd and 4th year apprentices) and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and reevaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants . If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.