Job summary
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA's remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation's expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation's readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities
Main duties of the job
UKHSA's Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environment (RCCE) Hazards Directorate provides advice, research and services to protect the public from exposure to chemicals and poisons, ionising and non-ionising radiation, and other environmental hazards. RCCE provides a specialist assessment and advice function within UKHSA's overall response as a Category 1 responder to radiation and chemical emergencies.
The Radiation Dosimetry Department provides authoritative public health information and advice about exposures to lasers and optical radiation, electromagnetic fields, and ionising radiation used for medical diagnostic imaging. In addition, the department provides the secretariat to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) and a Technology Development Group.
The Technology Development Group (TDG) provides a design, construction and maintenance service for bespoke scientific equipment and systems that are used across the Directorate.
The Higher Electronics Engineer role is to design, construct, and repair electronic and electro-mechanical equipment and systems to support research and provision of operational services across RCCE.
About us
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Design and construct electronic and electro-mechanical equipment and systems. This covers digital and analogue design, the use of microcontrollers, control systems and data acquisition.
- Develop application software
- Work on safety related control systems (safety interlocking) for radiological and machinery safety.
- Commission and test equipment.
- Carry out modification of existing equipment.
- Provide fault diagnosis and maintenance of electronic and electromechanical equipment and systems.
- Communicate with external contractors and accreditation services.
- Write detailed specifications in conjunction with internal customers.
- Write user guides and other documentation for equipment and systems.
- Provide advice to scientific staff on the purchase and use of electronic equipment.
- There will be an occasional need to work irregular hours. There will also be a requirement to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.
Other
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Directorate.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
- It should be noted that the work of the directorate is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Selection process details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 12 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essentialcriteria
Piles Meets all essentialcriteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Qualification to Degree level in electronic engineering or equivalent experience in an electronic engineering role.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
There will be a practical test at interview.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton.
If based at one of our labs you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Design and construct electronic and electro-mechanical equipment and systems. This covers digital and analogue design, the use of microcontrollers, control systems and data acquisition.
- Develop application software
- Work on safety related control systems (safety interlocking) for radiological and machinery safety.
- Commission and test equipment.
- Carry out modification of existing equipment.
- Provide fault diagnosis and maintenance of electronic and electromechanical equipment and systems.
- Communicate with external contractors and accreditation services.
- Write detailed specifications in conjunction with internal customers.
- Write user guides and other documentation for equipment and systems.
- Provide advice to scientific staff on the purchase and use of electronic equipment.
- There will be an occasional need to work irregular hours. There will also be a requirement to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.
Other
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Directorate.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
- It should be noted that the work of the directorate is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Selection process details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 12 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essentialcriteria
Piles Meets all essentialcriteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Qualification to Degree level in electronic engineering or equivalent experience in an electronic engineering role.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
There will be a practical test at interview.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton.
If based at one of our labs you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Essential
- Qualification to Degree level in electronic engineering or equivalent experience in an electronic engineering role
- Knowledge and experience of electronic and electro-mechanical design, development and support
- Practical experience in electrical and electronic construction techniques
- Practical experience in using electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and signal generators
- Knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering techniques
- Experience of CAD for schematic, PCB, and/or mechanical component design
- Experience with control software
- Ability to balance competing priorities while still delivering at pace
- Able to operate a DSE workstation
- Able to manipulate equipment in laboratories and during field work, and able to load/unload equipment from vehicles
- Current full UK driving license and ability to drive vehicles to off-site locations
- Full colour vision, for the identification of coloured wires and for the identification of colour coded components such as resistors (In line with the Equality Act 2010, any required workplace adjustments to meet this criteria will be considered on a case by case basis at the job offer stage)
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Essential
- Qualification to Degree level in electronic engineering or equivalent experience in an electronic engineering role
- Knowledge and experience of electronic and electro-mechanical design, development and support
- Practical experience in electrical and electronic construction techniques
- Practical experience in using electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and signal generators
- Knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering techniques
- Experience of CAD for schematic, PCB, and/or mechanical component design
- Experience with control software
- Ability to balance competing priorities while still delivering at pace
- Able to operate a DSE workstation
- Able to manipulate equipment in laboratories and during field work, and able to load/unload equipment from vehicles
- Current full UK driving license and ability to drive vehicles to off-site locations
- Full colour vision, for the identification of coloured wires and for the identification of colour coded components such as resistors (In line with the Equality Act 2010, any required workplace adjustments to meet this criteria will be considered on a case by case basis at the job offer stage)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
