HPC Computational Engineer

HPC Computational Engineer

Salary: £42,858 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance)
Location: Culham, Oxfordshire (Hybrid – 2–3 days onsite per week)
Clearance: BPSS, including DBS and open-source checks

About the Role

As an HPC Computational Engineer, you will join UKAEA’s Advanced Engineering Simulation Group within the Computing Division. This team leads research in high-performance computing, algorithm development, AI, and machine learning, supporting fusion energy engineering through advanced simulation and workflow optimisation. You will work on impactful, collaborative projects across academia and industry, directly contributing to UKAEA’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Support modelling, simulation, and uncertainty quantification for fusion programmes such as LIBRTI.
• Develop, test, and maintain scalable and efficient scientific computing codes.
• Analyse experimental or simulated data to inform design and performance predictions.
• Contribute to integrated multi-physics models of fusion systems (e.g., digital twins).
• Adapt and deploy codes on new and emerging computing architectures.

Additional Duties

• Share research outputs through reports, software, journal papers, and conferences.
• Provide support to users in adopting new tools and methods.
• Travel occasionally for collaboration and dissemination activities.

Essential Requirements

• Master’s degree in a STEM field (e.g., physics, engineering, materials science, maths, or computer science), or equivalent experience
• Experience with uncertainty quantification or error analysis
• Familiarity with numerical methods (e.g., Monte Carlo, Finite Element/Volume methods)
• Proficiency in at least one compiled language (e.g., C++, Fortran, Rust) or advanced scripting (e.g., Python, Julia, R)
• Competence with Linux/UNIX and command-line tools

Desirable Experience

• PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
• Knowledge of nuclear/fusion science or engineering
• Use of tools such as OpenMC, MCNP, Geant4, MOOSE, or OpenFOAM
• Experience with high-performance computing, including parallel or GPU programming (MPI, OpenMP, CUDA, Kokkos, etc.)
• Familiarity with modern software development practices, including debugging, profiling, and version control

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