How long have you worked at RACE?
I started in September as a Graduate Mechatronics Engineer, after completing a Robotic Engineering degree at the University of Sheffield, so I am fairly new.
How did you find out about the role?
I’ve always been interested in science and engineering, so I knew about JET and fusion. When I was thinking about where I wanted to work, it was the companies around here – Culham and Harwell – that I was really interested in. Last year, I was able to do a 10-week summer placement at RACE, which has helped since starting here, as I had visited the site already and met some of the people I work with.
What’s your role within the team?
I'm working closely with ITER, mostly as a Control / Software Engineer. In my first project I have been looking at digital mock-ups - bridging together the in-house visualization that we use for JET and some new robotics, offline, programming tools. The aim is that we can use these for operations in future IRTF projects and perhaps other areas of RACE.
I am also working on another project on PLC control sequence tasks, including undertaking the test phases.
You have only been at RACE for a few months, but what is it about the role that you have enjoyed most so far?
I think the best part is that it is so varied. I'm doing a standalone project where I have to work out everything, do concept requirements from the start. I have also been thrown into the deep end of another project, right at the end stages, and it's completely different. But I love that. It's nice not to be stuck in one project and to be able to do very varied things.
I really enjoy that I'm working with so many extremely experienced people and I am constantly learning new things. There's so much knowledge across UKAEA, it is crazy. You can say “I really need to find out about this really specific thing” and there will be a person who knows about it.
You joined during these unusual times. How has that been?
I think it has been particularly difficult for all of HR because they had to move the new starter training online. I am very fortunate that I worked here during the summer last year. As soon as I found out I could work in the office, I started coming in, which has been great. Recently someone needed a control engineer and, as I was there, I was put onto the project. I feel so sorry for all the new starters who have never been on site and never seen anyone on their team, never interacted except online.
How long have you worked at RACE?
I started in September as a Graduate Mechatronics Engineer, after completing a Robotic Engineering degree at the University of Sheffield, so I am fairly new.
How did you find out about the role?
I’ve always been interested in science and engineering, so I knew about JET and fusion. When I was thinking about where I wanted to work, it was the companies around here – Culham and Harwell – that I was really interested in. Last year, I was able to do a 10-week summer placement at RACE, which has helped since starting here, as I had visited the site already and met some of the people I work with.
What’s your role within the team?
I'm working closely with ITER, mostly as a Control / Software Engineer. In my first project I have been looking at digital mock-ups - bridging together the in-house visualization that we use for JET and some new robotics, offline, programming tools. The aim is that we can use these for operations in future IRTF projects and perhaps other areas of RACE.
I am also working on another project on PLC control sequence tasks, including undertaking the test phases.
You have only been at RACE for a few months, but what is it about the role that you have enjoyed most so far?
I think the best part is that it is so varied. I'm doing a standalone project where I have to work out everything, do concept requirements from the start. I have also been thrown into the deep end of another project, right at the end stages, and it's completely different. But I love that. It's nice not to be stuck in one project and to be able to do very varied things.
I really enjoy that I'm working with so many extremely experienced people and I am constantly learning new things. There's so much knowledge across UKAEA, it is crazy. You can say “I really need to find out about this really specific thing” and there will be a person who knows about it.
You joined during these unusual times. How has that been?
I think it has been particularly difficult for all of HR because they had to move the new starter training online. I am very fortunate that I worked here during the summer last year. As soon as I found out I could work in the office, I started coming in, which has been great. Recently someone needed a control engineer and, as I was there, I was put onto the project. I feel so sorry for all the new starters who have never been on site and never seen anyone on their team, never interacted except online.