If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Principal Pulsed Power Scientist

Closing Date: 4th March 2025

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the experimental and classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: £59,960 - £68,000 salary range (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

A relocation package may be available (terms and conditions apply).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently looking for either an experienced scientist or electrical/electronic engineer to work within our Pulsed Power teams.

This role will give the successful candidate the opportunity to become a subject matter expert within a technical team that design, construct, and commission pulsed power systems, generating multi-terawatt pulses of RF electromagnetic power.

This is a great opportunity to be involved in unique scientific research which underpins the safety and performance of our defence programmes.

This role sits within our Technology Development Group, and the successful candidate will be working with a team of like-minded individuals to investigate the next generation of technology to improve modelling and experiments at AWE.

We are looking for senior Physicists or experienced Electrical/Electronic Engineers to step into this role and work with AWE and its internal stakeholders to deliver important data and projects to the wider business.

This role also comes with exciting opportunities to travel to the US, France and within the UK to represent the business.

The responsibilities of a Principal Pulsed Power Scientist/Engineer are:

To lead the design, construction, and commissioning of high pulsed power systems.

Incorporate technological understanding and stakeholder needs to advise on suitable development programmes.

Develop collaborative programmes with academia, industry, and government laboratories to tailor emergent technologies to AWE need.

Provide technical leadership of projects at phases from concept to commissioning.

Who Are We Looking For?

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following:

A degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering or equivalent qualification. 

Demonstrated delivery of projects with at least one or more of the following aspects: pulsed power, radiofrequency technologies, electron beam control and high voltage design.

Previous experience with stakeholder management and engagement.

Experience managing product development across multidisciplinary teams and supply chains.

Previous experience in leading technical projects and/or task management.

Previous experience in planning and safely executing hazardous experimentation trials.

Familiarity with Functional Safety Systems.

Understanding of power distribution, including power network modelling and analysis.

Experience or knowledge of Radio Frequency systems and/or Antenna design.

Experience or knowledge of Pulse Power / High voltage design.

You will need to be able and willing to travel across the UK, and to the US and France to represent the business.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process. Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.