Mechatronic and Controls Maintenance Technician
Salary: Electrical Engineer- £44,982 or Electronics Technician -£56,509 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Join the ISIS Electrical and Electronic User Support Group (EEUSG) and become an integral part of our dynamic Mechatronics Control Section!
Our team delivers crucial operational and maintenance services for a diverse range of systems, facilitating numerous scientific experiments at ISIS annually. We specialise in supporting mechatronic systems, Sample Environment, and Functional Safety systems.
Our mechatronic systems play a pivotal role in enabling world-leading science at the ISIS Neutron & Muon Source by allowing researchers to configure the instruments for experimental setups. These systems range from small stepper-driven linear positioning systems, piezo driven vacuum motion, and large servo systems all working at micron level accuracy.

As a key member of the mechatronics section, you will take a practical, hands-on role, responsibility for all aspects of supporting motion control equipment on our instruments that will include:

• Maintenance Planning: Developing and implementing maintenance activities, including safe methods of work, and maintaining accurate records.
• Repair, Maintenance and Fault Finding: Utilise your mechatronic skills to diagnose, repair, and maintain mechatronic equipment. We encourage personal development opportunities to help you expand and enhance your technical skills across various disciplines.
• Collaboration: Partner with specialist mechanical teams to assemble and install precision ISIS beamline motion control equipment.
• Design Reviews & Continuous Improvement: Provide operational insights during design reviews of new equipment. Opportunities you identify to enhance the functionality, reliability, and performance of motion control equipment will be supported.
• Showcase Expertise: Have the opportunity to present your work at conferences and workshops both in the UK and internationally.
• Mentorship: The opportunity to offer guidance, support, and encouragement to mechatronic graduates and apprentices.
• Testing, Commissioning, and Support: Work with a variety of PLC and motion software control systems and measurement equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Integration Support: Assist in integrating scientific equipment for experiments.

Additionally an Electronics Technician responsibilities will also include:

• Working more independently to resolve complex maintenance issues, lead the planning and implementation of safe work methods, and supervise junior staff.

Operational Support: ISIS operates a 24/7 user cycle when the accelerator is running (approx. 180 days/year). To ensure smooth operations, our technical staff provide support outside of normal working hours through a payable (additional allowances) on-call system. You will have the opportunity to work with support of the team to provide out-of-hours support for equipment within your remit.

The below criteria for the Electrical Engineer will be reviewed at Shortlisting (S) and /or Interview stage:

• Qualified HNC or above (HND, MEng, MSc, BEng) in a relevant engineering discipline or extensive experience in Mechatronics, Robotics, or Controls engineering (S).
• Demonstrable experience of mechatronic systems within an industrial or scientific setting which could include:
• Experience in machine building and alignment of mechatronic systems (S+I).
• Proficiency in the assembly of electrical systems and cabling such as wiring, crimping, and soldering of motion stages or panel building (S+I).
• Setup and configuration of motion controllers or PLC systems (S+I).
• Proficiency with mechanical hand tools (S+I).
• Ability to critically analyse systems and diagnose root cause failures. (S+I).
• Knowledge of safety systems and isolation (S+I).
• Experience of working with Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) (S+I).
• Good written and verbal communication skills (S+I).
• Good customer service skills (I).