Engineer - Time Scale

About the Role

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department seek a Time Scale Engineer. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. 

Backed by a  government investment of £180 million in the  National Timing Centre (NTC) programme , we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems (such as GPS) – which are increasingly vulnerable to disruption from solar storms, jamming and spoofing. This will underpin essential services, including

• Telecommunications, 
• Online banking, 
• Emergency response, 
• Transport networks, and 
• Wider digital and data-driven operations.

Together, these services form the backbone of modern society - and you will help ensure they remain secure, reliable and robust even if global navigation satellite systems fail.

• Building domain-specific knowledge to support cross-functional teams

• Performing calibration and measurement activities in our laboratories

• Supporting through-life management of hardware assets; including

• Specifying and procuring equipment

• Contributing to engineering artefacts (e.g., compiling compliance reports or supporting obsolescence planning)

• Testing & integration of new equipment (e.g., time interval counters)

• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to information management

• Ad-hoc data processing / analysis to review the performance of the time scale and constituent components.

About You

Reporting to a Senior Engineer, you’ll enjoy a central role in the design and implementation of critical infrastructure that will underpin the future of timekeeping for the UK.  

• A degree in a relevant field of Engineering or Science (or equivalent experience)

• A rigorous approach to problem solving and the ability to develop solutions to difficult problems

• Good task management with the ability to shift focus based on changing priorities 

Advantageous:

• Experience in Time Scales, Atomic Clocks, or Time and Frequency measurement

• Experience working in engineering or research and development environments

• Experience working in a laboratory setting

• Scripting (e.g., using Python or Bash) 

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

However, to work in this role in the Time & Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. 

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here -  The measure of us - Overview