Commissioning Engineer (Mechanical & Fuel Route)

Sector: Nuclear New Build / Nuclear Island & Waste Systems

Location: Bristol, England (Hybrid / Office-Based with Site Interface)

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

The Opportunity:

We are partnering with a premier Tier 1 technical services and engineering consultancy to recruit a Mechanical & Fuel Route Commissioning Engineer for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) project. This role sits within a newly formed Energy and Technical Services division dedicated to delivering major nuclear new build programmes across the project lifecycle.

This is a highly dynamic position that combines deep technical expertise with package management skills. Initially, you will focus on the detailed planning, preparation, and documentation phase. As the project advances, you will transition into driving the field execution of high-integrity commissioning tests, verifying that nuclear systems are fit to safely enter commercial operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lifecycle Lifecycle Management: Take full responsibility for the complete commissioning lifecycle of multiple complex Radioactive Waste Systems and associated Mechanical/Fuel Route packages.

• Documentation Development: Author and compile comprehensive commissioning documentation, technical test programmes, and validation procedures to form an integral part of the site's formal Commissioning Arrangements.

• Design & Operability Reviews: Participate proactively in engineering design reviews to ensure that plant layouts, mechanical systems, and piping assets are configured to allow ease of access, safety, and efficient testing.

• Test Programme Ownership: Assist in the master planning of upcoming commissioning sequences and take full accountability for individual technical test schedules.

• Site Test Execution: Oversee and coordinate on-site commissioning activities, providing technical direction and supervision to contractor commissioning technicians to ensure safe system validation.

• Results Analysis & Reporting: Analyse technical data from commissioning runs and compile formal engineering reports summarising performance outcomes against the plant design base.

• Interface Management: Foster collaborative relationships with Responsible Designers, Tier 1 contractors, site engineering teams, and the permanent plant operational organisation to maintain well-defined, controlled technical interfaces.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all commissioning procedures adhere strictly to UK nuclear, environmental, and industrial safety regulations, embedding international best practices in nuclear safety culture.

What We're Looking For:

• Education: Degree-qualified in a relevant engineering discipline (Mechanical, Chemical, or Nuclear), or an HNC/HND backed by extensive industrial engineering experience.

• Technical Background: Solid technical foundation in heavy industrial processing, conventional power generation, or specialized process engineering.

• System Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of high-integrity fluid/mechanical systems is essential. Specific familiarity with Nuclear Fuel Handling Equipment or mechanical handling machinery is highly desirable.

• Nuclear Island Operations: Practical experience in the commissioning, maintenance, or operations of Nuclear Island systems or heavily regulated process environments.

• Vetting Eligibility: Must be able to achieve standard baseline security clearance (BPSS or higher).

What's on Offer (Package & Benefits):

• Salary: Highly competitive base salary aligned with premium industry standards.

• Work-Life Balance: Genuine focus on flexibility with standard hybrid working arrangements.

• Healthcare: Comprehensive private medical cover and digital GP service access.

• Family Benefits: Enhanced parental leave structures and corporate family support programmes.

• Professional Development: Financial reimbursement and corporate backing towards relevant professional engineering memberships (e.g., IMechE) and continuous professional development (CPD).

• Culture: A collaborative, supportive workspace backed by diverse employee networks, mental health initiatives, and paid volunteering time.