Level 3 Mechatronics Apprentice - Heating & Current Drive

Company background

What if there was a limitless, safe, clean, low-cost energy source, providing much needed global energy security?  What if that energy source could also help address climate change?  The answer is fusion energy – the power of the stars. Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford with have an unrivalled track record designing and operating spherical tokamaks; the optimal route to commercial fusion. 

In addition to fusion, Tokamak Energy is recognised as a world leader in transformative High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. Our dedicated HTS magnet team, in collaboration with key manufacturing partners, is focussed on enabling new levels of performance and becoming the leading supplier of HTS magnets to multiple markets, including renewable energy, medicine, science and propulsion in water, land, air and space. 

The company, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from UK Atomic Energy Authority, currently employs a growing team of over 260 people with experts from the UK and around the world. It combines world leading scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities.  The company has more than 75 families of patent applications and has raised $335 million, comprising $275m from private investors and $60m from the UK and U.S. governments.  Our U.S. subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019.

Come and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team striving to provide a solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: clean and sustainable fusion energy for all.

Overview of the role

Salary:£15,500 per annum plus incremental increase each year.

Hours: 37.5 per week.

Start date: September 2025

As a Tokamak Energy L3 Engineering Technician Apprentice in the Heating and Current Drive team you will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of technology under the guidance and support of our highly skilled and experienced team members.

The Heating and Current Drive team is responsible for the systems that heat the plasma to many million Celsius. The team runs and maintains two neutral beam systems and one gyrotron to provide Megawatts of power to ST40.

As part of your role you will work, with the support of the team, on these complex systems. This could mean working on the electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, vacuum, or cooling systems of our existing equipment. Also working with the engineers and physicists in the team on the design or testing of new equipment. And whilst we are a great team, placements in other teams are encouraged as a way to increase your skills and the depth of your knowledge.

The L3 apprenticeship qualification will cover the following content:

·        Health and safety in the engineering environment

·        Engineering mathematics

·        Engineering principles

·        PLC

·        Design and CAD

·        Additive engineering

·        Assembly

·        Fluid Power

·        Electronics

·        Elect install/Fault finding

·        Robot Programming & Maintenance

·        Hand fitting

·        Project skills engineering manufacturing skills

·        Automations

·        Mechanical maintenance and assembly

·        Fluid maintenance and assembly

·        Electrical systems instrumentation including PLC

·        Digital manufacturing

·        Laser processing

Other areas of learning that will be covered as part of your apprenticeship will include:

·        Robotic programming & Maintenance

·        Automation & Robotics

·        Electro-pneumatic and hydraulics

During this 3-year apprenticeship you will embark on a dedicated engineering path which incorporates attending OAS, our chosen training provider, located in Culham. You can find out more information about OAS at:https://www.oas.ukaea.uk/.

Please see the structure of your Level 3 apprenticeship below:

Year 1: As an apprentice at OAS, your first year will consist of block release between the OAS training centre and at Tokamak Energy. You will complete your foundation skills training as well as starting your advanced manufacturing diploma.

Year 2: You will return to your employer full time, using your foundational training to add value to your company. You will continue to develop your skills and behaviours by completing on-the-job learning whilst continuing your Level 3 knowledge-based diploma back at OAS on a block release basis.

Year 3: You will work with Tokamak Energy to continue your Level 3 work-based competency diploma. You will also start to prepare for your End Point Assessment (EPA).

You will have dedicated support from our team throughout your apprenticeship. Tokamak Energy strongly believes in building a high standard of in-house capability, starting with our apprentices. We offer the combination of a research and development, maintenance, and manufacturing environment for you to work within, through this you will experience working in a delivery focused and innovative workplace. You will have the opportunity to grow in confidence, learn to work as part of a team and solve problems on a daily basis.

What qualifications will you receive through completion of the apprenticeship?

·        Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)

·        Successful completion of an ‘End Point Assessment’, leading to professional recognition by a relevant Engineering Institution

Requirements

Eligibility (useful link):

• Must be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of the apprenticeship

• Eligible to live and work in the UK for the entirety of the apprenticeship and have resided in the UK for at least 3 years prior to starting the apprenticeship.

• Achieved GCSE grades 4-9 / A*-C in Maths and English Language or English Literature (or equivalent). Equivalent could include a Level 2 college course that included their Level 2 Maths and English subjects.

Declaration:

By submitting your application, you give consent for your details to be shared with our training provider for the purposes of progressing your application.

Benefits

·        25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and 3 festive days to be used between Christmas and the New Year)

·        Company pension scheme

·        Company bonus scheme, discretionary, dependant on performance

·        Cycle to work scheme

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications, and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Important information for candidates

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Working arrangements

Please note, due to the nature of work for role 100% onsite working (when at Tokamak energy) is required and hybrid working is not currently an option.