Test Rig Technical and Operations Team Leader

Job Introduction

Job Description for Test Rig Technical and Operations Team Leader:

NNL is where you’ll experiment to help solve global challenges. As part of our Waste Management & Decommissioning capability, your work will impact the lives of generations. By finding new ways to avoid, reduce, store and treat nuclear waste, and drive down the cost of decommissioning, you’ll help to deliver cleaner energy and influence our nation’s energy future. You’ll face new challenges every day, working in unique locations on ground-breaking projects. Whichever area you specialise in this is a place to do great science for a good cause.

As part of the Higher Active Waste Thermal Treatment (HAWTT) programme, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Technical & Operations Team Leader (OTL) who will be at the heart of everything associated with build, commissioning and operation of test rigs operated by the Waste processing Services Capability. Primarily, this will involve working closely with the Operations Manager on the modification, reinstatement and operation of the team’s active GeoMelt Test Rig. As an OTL, you will create, maintain and build upon links with all associated stakeholders including Project Management, Technical, Design and Commissioning.

As the operational phase gets going, you will be responsible for the supervision of experimental operations planned by the Technical Lead(s) and where appropriate, you will assist in the design of these experiments. You will act as an authority on plant operability and maintain links with all stakeholders including PM’s, Compliance and Waste Coordinators. You will help to create and then maintain all of the necessary systems required for successful operations including Operations & Maintenance strategies and documentation, a suite of training documentation and records, operator training and you will ultimately demonstrate compliance with all NNL and SL procedures. You, and the wider GeoMelt Technical & Operations Team, will work closely with the Commissioning team, contractors and partners to ensure a successful and seamless transition to the operational phase with safe delivery of operations and maintenance thereafter.

This role will carry significant supervision of others and therefore, integrity and a drive for high standards of safety are paramount.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Test Rig Technical and Operations Team Leader:

• Preparation, updating and validation of instructions and key safety documentation used in both plant and laboratory environments.
• Planning of maintenance and operational activities. 
• Preparation of Safe Systems of Work packages and Work Requests to support operations, maintenance and ad-hoc project activities. 
• Operation of the Test Rigs to the specification in test schedules; monitoring rig performance and key operating parameters.
• Act as Originator, Task Supervisor and Sub-Contract Supervisor for assigned tasks.
• Deployment and supervision of operators and craft personnel on plant in support of operational and maintenance activities.
• Support to technical teams producing experimental proposals, experimental planning, test schedules and reports.
• Liaising with relevant services to facilitate rig maintenance (NNL Compliance Team Leaders, Riggers, Scaffolders, etc.).
• Training and development of operators and technicians, ensuring training records and SQEP status are maintained.
• Management and monitoring of Wastes, disposals, storage of reagent materials, consumables, process samples and good housekeeping standards.
• Take on additional roles as required and as part of development, for example Plant Owner, Authorised Person etc.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Test Rig Technical and Operations Team Leader:

• HNC in Engineering, Scientific or Process Plant Control discipline (suitable experience considered in lieu of formal qualifications).
• Qualifications and/or experience of supervising others in plant environments.
• Good knowledge and experience of management of safety in operational environments.
• Experience in planning and delivering tasks to safety, quality, time and cost.
• High initiative with the ability to plan and deliver assigned tasks.
• Organiser and Task Supervisor Key Safety Appointment holder or proven ability to attain those roles.
• Ability to act as deputy Operations Manager for future operations.
• Good understanding of thermal treatment technologies or evidence that demonstrates ability to develop such knowledge.
• Trained and experienced to work in active area environments or ability to develop such skills. 
• Demonstrable customer focus with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to interact with own team and other departments and at senior levels.
• The OTL may be required to relocate to another test rig operated by the WPS Capability to support operations. This would be determined at the time and be dependent upon ongoing work commitments.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Test Rig Technical and Operations Team Leader:

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of plant control systems such as operational (DCS) and trending software.
• Good computer/software package/IT skills.
• Technical background in lab/rig based projects.

About the Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

National Nuclear Laboratory