Electrical Infrastructure Engineer Authorised Person

Electrical Infrastructure Engineer Authorised Person
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £58,346
Contract Type: Fixed term contract - 23 months
Hours: Full-time
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Closing date: 3rd November 2026

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. 

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity. 

Key accountabilities

The Electrical Infrastructure Engineer (Authorised Person) will support the utilities infrastructure team in ensuring the safe, and effective, operation and control of the electrical network, the installations and their associated assets at three STFC sites: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), Chilbolton Observatory and The Cosener’s House. These system types include, but are not limited to:

• Electrical high-voltage network.
• Electrical low-voltage network.
• Stand-by power assets (UPS/generators).

The role reports to the Estates Building Services Authorising Engineer and provides daily operation and application of safe systems of work, associated to the electrical infrastructure and installations, to ensure the safe provision of resilient power supply across the STFC estate. The post holder ensures that these services and the activities relating to them meet or exceed relevant industry standards and comply with STFC’s SHE codes and industry best practice.

Role Responsibilities

• Day-to-day implementation of STFC’s safe systems of work for all networks associated to the role, utilising the appropriate STFC safe systems of work, best industry practices and striving for continuous development.
• Working in the Utilities and Infrastructure team to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the site electrical distribution network at both high and low voltage, safeguarding the integrity and upkeep of the site electrical power network.
• Supporting the management of power infrastructure assets, including the demarcation of systems and responsibility between the Estates group and the scientific departments.
• Ensuring that all associated work carried out on STFC’s estate is completed in an effective and professional manner, and that all current safety and technical legislation is adhered to, including the day-to-day implementation of:
  • Safe systems of work (permits/isolation procedures/testing and re-commissioning).
  • Assess risk assessments and method statements submitted by contractors.
  • Assess risk assessments and method statements produced for in-house staff.
• Supporting the Estates technical training pathways, to ensure they retain technical competence and support resilient succession planning for the department.
• Supporting internal and external audits of safe systems of work, to encourage and sustain effective lines of communication within the internal STFC Estates Services Engineering teams to ensure continuity of work delivery and application of safe systems of work.
• Assisting in the execution and planning of high-voltage electrical maintenance, remedial works and upgrades, including any associated shutdowns or restriction to users; effectively communicating subsequent impact to the relevant stakeholders.
• Ensuring that all related operational areas are kept in excellent repair, with relevant and up-to-date schematics, labelling and safety information available.

Estates Responsibilities

As a member of STFC's Estates Services, the post holder will proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer-focused and efficient services that support STFC's vision, values and objectives. The Estates Services team needs to be agile and able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our diverse customer base; therefore, the post holder is expected to demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach. 

All members of the Estates team will, from time to time, be expected to lead or participate (appropriate to Band level) in STFC and Estates projects that may be outside their normal remit.

Person Specification

Essential

• City and Guilds 2330 levels 2 and 3 (or equivalent). (S)
• City and Guilds 2391/94/95 inspection and testing. (S)
• City and Guilds 2382 18th IET Wiring Regulations (to the latest standard). (S)
• Experience for electrical distribution systems on large campuses, universities, factories, Home Estates, MoD bases or similar. (S&I)
• A knowledge and understanding of safety legislation. (S&I)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite. (S)
• Ability to be on call during silent hours. (I)
• Demonstrate knowledge of the hierarchy of UK legislation regulations, approved Codes of Practice and best practice relating to electrical building services. (I)
• The ability to work effectively and logically in high-pressure situations. (I)
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision. (I)
• Flexible approach to working. (I)
• Excellent interpersonal skills. (I)

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you (and any dependants travelling with you) will be required to pay costs directly to the UK Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.