Brief Description
Salary: £38,969 - £43,300 per annum
Grade: UKRI E
Contract Type: Open-Ended
Hours: Full Time
Closing Date: 11th October 2020
Interview Date: TBC
Numerical models will be central to the development of dynamic testing within the National Satellite Test Facility https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/National-Satellite-Test-Facility.aspx. Your role will be to build and control finite element and other numerical models required by the Dynamics Group of Environmental Test Division. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding across a diverse range of numerical modelling techniques that are needed to match the test environments. Modelling techniques might include classical finite element analysis within packages such as NASTRAN and ANSYS workbench for structural response, statistical energy analysis (SEA) within solvers such as ACTRAN for acoustic loading and the application of hydrocodes for shock loading.
Structural modelling, typically in NASTRAN is used to model spacecraft and their test facilities in order to predict and refine test operations and to aid post-test analysis. The broader purpose of vibration modelling is to characterise the dynamic response of the spacecraft and in this case the effects of the test mounting on this response. The NSTF will house two 222 kN electrodynamics shakers, one will drive a large guided head expander for vertically oriented tests and the other will drive slip tables for horizontal test. Prediction of cross axis effects and dynamic overturning moments will be a key goal of the modelling effort.
The NSTF will have a Direct Field Acoustic Noise (DFAN) test facility capable of generating sound pressure levels in excess of 145 dB on a spacecraft to simulate the launch environment. Modelling with use a solver such as ACTRAN in the FEA and virtual SEA modes to determine key test parameters such as control microphone placement and speaker geometry. In DFAN, as in all test environments, the aim is to use modelling to predict and refine the test conditions to ensure compliance with the test specification with minimal risk to the spacecraft.
Shock regimes will be modelled to support pyroshock testing which is carried out on a dedicated resonant plate test rig installed within the last year. It is envisaged that a combination of explicit dynamic solvers and conventional implicit techniques may be used to aid test development and to provide rapid evolution of test parameters to meet test specifications.
You will play a key role in developing test facilities and providing the detailed guidance on test conditions. This will start with facilities development and commissioning and then extend through contacts with potential customers at the bid stage. You will work with the test engineers and test programme manager to ensure the test facilities are capable of delivering the test, defining any adaptions which may be required and to provide development and analysis methods to suit the programme requirements. You will be expected to support test campaigns at all stages during execution and assist in analysis required for test reports and will be supported and governed in these activities by your Group Leader, working as part of the wider Dynamics Group.
There will be opportunity for you to assist in the definition of proposed new facilities or upgrades to the existing facilities. Additionally, opportunity will be given to engage wider with the test community to keep up to date with developments.
Your role is equivalent to a Principal Test Engineer and will therefore you should expect to carry similar level of duties to support the broader activities of the group at a senior level, which may include direct line management of staff.
Organization Description
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at
www.ukri.org.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation, and our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.
Employee Benefits
UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals and aims to provide a pay and reward package that motivates staff to the best of their ability. The reward and benefit package includes a flexible working scheme, an excellent Defined Benefit pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance and a number of other benefits.
Developing Talent
We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.
Equal Opportunities
We strive to make decisions based on individual merit and ability. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and promote equality of opportunity in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. As holders of Disability Confident Employer status, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
As this job does not fulfil the Home Office Code of Practice criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y.
Online applications only. Please submit a covering letter and CV ensuring that the IRC reference is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Please note that failure to address the above criteria or submitted without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered.
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