Harwell, Oxfordshire – based onsite
3-year fixed-term appointment
About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron; a huge scientific facility designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light. Our scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.
At Diamond we are currently undertaking a major upgrade of the facility, known as Diamond-II. Diamond-II will combine a new machine and new beamlines with a comprehensive series of upgrades to optics, detectors, sample environments, sample delivery capabilities and computing, which will ultimately generate an even more brilliant light source at a higher energy.
About the Role
We now have an opportunity for a Senior Power Supplies Technician to join the Power Supplies Group on a 3-year fixed-term appointment, supporting both the reliable operation of Diamond’s existing accelerator power converter systems and the delivery of new power supply systems for the Diamond-II upgrade.
This role will contribute directly to the development, testing, installation and commissioning of high-performance magnet power supplies and associated equipment, with a strong focus on quality, reliability, stability and safe delivery.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Diagnosing and repairing faults on circuit boards and electronic assemblies at component level.
- Building, modifying and maintaining test equipment, test fixtures and associated hardware.
- Testing circuit boards, modules, sub-racks and complete power supply racks received from manufacturers or assembled in-house.
- Supporting integration testing of power supply systems, including backplanes, controller interfaces, interlocks, cabling and rack-level assemblies.
- Preparing materials, components and equipment for installation and commissioning activities.
- Supporting and supervising electrical wiring activities for new installations, ensuring work is completed safely and to the required standard.
- Commissioning installed equipment and supporting handover into operation.
- Procuring parts and services, including liaison with suppliers and manufacturers where required.
- Supporting the operation of Diamond’s power converters, including troubleshooting, repair, participation in the 24-hour on-call rota, and occasional shift or out-of-hours working where required to support operations, shutdowns, installations or commissioning activities.
- Investigating beam trips and operational issues attributable to power converters, and supporting continuous improvement to minimise recurrence.
- Preparing power converters for operation after shutdowns, maintenance periods and upgrade activities.
- Organising repair, calibration and maintenance of test equipment and operational assets.
- Contributing to documentation, test records, procedures and quality assurance activities associated with Diamond-II delivery.
About You
You will hold an appropriate HNC, HND or degree in a relevant engineering discipline, or demonstrate equivalent relevant experience gained in an electrical, electronic or power electronics environment.
You will have practical experience working with power supplies, power converters, electronic assemblies or similar electrical/electronic systems, together with a good working knowledge of engineering drawings, wiring diagrams and schematics.
You will also have experience of laboratory-based testing, fault finding and measurement techniques, and be confident using test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power analysers, signal generators or similar instrumentation.
Experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous:
- Commissioning of power electronic systems or complex electrical equipment.
- Switched-mode power supplies, magnet power supplies, motor drives or inverter systems.
- Component-level repair of electronic circuit boards and assemblies.
- Rack build, wiring, integration testing or electrical installation work.
- Working within a quality assurance, safety or configuration-controlled environment.
You will be a practical, detail-focused and safety-conscious technician with good communication and interpersonal skills. You should be able to work effectively with engineers, technicians, operators, suppliers and other stakeholders, and be willing to contribute ideas and practical solutions to technical and operational challenges.
The role will require participation in the group’s on-call arrangements and may involve occasional shift working or work outside normal office hours, for example during shutdowns, machine recovery, installation and commissioning periods.
Visa and Right to Work
This position doesn't meet the requirements for visa sponsorship, except potentially for those people that are already sponsored in the UK before April 2024 or meet the criteria of a ‘new entrant’. For more information please visit - Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme with a 2.3% accrual rate. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.
To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this 3-year fixed-term role.
The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2026
