Graphite PIE Technician

Job Introduction

Job Description for Graphite PIE Technician:

NNL is where your understanding of reactors fuels the nation. As part of our Fuel Reactor & Reprocessing capability, you’ll play a vital role in developing the UK fuel cycle in line with advances in new technology and new processes. As old reactors reach the end of their lifespan, we need experts like you, with the technical skills to virtually model scenarios that not only enable us to explore new ways of managing the inputs and outputs of reactors, but also pave the way for the implementation of smaller, cleaner revolutionary new reactors. This is a place where you can use your knowledge and expertise to do long term meaningful work for years to come.

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) conducts a major programme of work for one of our important customers to support continued safe operations of their reactors. This position is required to assist in the delivery of a major programme of Post Irradiation Evaluation (PIE) on Graphite.   The PIE work will be undertaken within the NNL Active Handling Facility (AHF), in the heavily shielded hot cells. The successful candidate will be expected to work with irradiated trepanned graphite samples arising from various reactors/power stations. 

Most of the work will be carried out using Master Slave Manipulators (MSMs) within AHF for the operation of a multitude of rigs under supervision of the Deputy Delivery Manager(s).

The position requires the maintenance of strong working relationships with the Delivery Manager, Technical Lead and Project Manager for the area. The role holder is responsible for carrying out planned programmes of work within their area of expertise to time, cost and the required high-quality standards.

Main Responsibilities for Graphite PIE Technician:

• To work as part of the Graphite PIE team in the measurement of trepanned Graphite samples. 
• To be an equipment operator, responsible for maintaining their equipment where required (via the engineering team or suppliers where necessary), responsible for training of others as applicable. 
• Maintain logbooks and record sheets for sample testing and traceability and to ensure all relevant regulations and procedures are understood and adhered to.
• Production and review of significant data that is supplied for key customers where necessary.
• To ensure all work is completed safely and accurately maintaining traceability and quality at all times.
• To communicate and work with the Technical Leads and Capability Manager to provide design and operational support in the manufacture of equipment to support PIE related activities.
• To carry out remote handling operations in AHF to deliver work packages as directed by the Capability Manager.
• Comply with legislative, regulatory and company policy standards and procedures e.g., safety, quality, risk, security etc. applicable to the role.
  

Essential Criteria for Graphite PIE Technician:

• Experience of working within an industrial environment and delivering work to time, cost, and quality.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team of operations, engineering, and technical staff to operate specially designed equipment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• 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 Graphite PIE Technician:

• Knowledge of Non-Destructive Testing and examination techniques.
• Monitored radiation worker (or ability to become so).

Why join us?

NNL isn’t just a place where you can do career-defining work that makes a real-world impact. It’s also a place where you’ll feel appreciated and valued. We’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is free to be themselves and feel like they belong. We put your wellbeing first, we push you to reach your potential, and we do everything possible to help you feel safe, supported and inspired.

We also offer a range of employee benefits:

• Sector leading Family-Focused Policies: celebrate life events, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and a week off for your marriage.
• NNL offers attractive pension plans. If you contribute 5%, NNL contributes 15%. Alternatively, if you choose not to contribute (0%), NNL will still contribute 10%.
• Annual Leave: Benefit from 25.5 days of leave, plus 4 extra days to be taken during Christmas shutdown, plus Bank Holidays.
• Reduced gym membership with discounts of up to 25% from 3,700 gym and leisure providers across the UK
• Company Bonus: Be rewarded for your contributions.
• Learning Opportunities: Enhance your skills through excellent development programmes.
• Employee Assistance: Access support for personal and professional challenges.
• Cycle to Work: Stay active and eco-friendly.
• Life Assurance: Ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
• Enhanced Sick Pay Benefits: Receive support during illness or injury.
• Access to ‘Mydiscounts’ which has a range of special offers and discounts from more than 200 suppliers, including medical insurance and dental insurance. 
• Health Care: Health savings plan which allows you to claim money back on visits to the dentist, optician and/or physiotherapist (limits apply).

About The Company

NNL is an incredible place to work. A place where people do things that have never been done before. A place where people push boundaries to further themselves, the business and society as a whole.

This is a place where personal and professional opportunities are limitless. If you want to change the world, if you want to tackle climate change, if you want to help advance medical science, if you want to help put things in space, if you want to answer the big questions, if you want to work with extraordinary materials, if you want to meet great people, learn new skills, challenge yourself, work flexibly, and build a long successful career with the power to make a real impact… you can do it all here.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory