Classifications
Operator
Are you looking for a role where your contribution directly supports one of the UK’s most unique and important decommissioning missions?
Do you want to be part of a team that values safety, teamwork, and hands‑on expertise while working on fascinating, technically varied plant operations?
We have several exciting opportunities to join our Reactors Programme as an Operator, playing a key role in the safe and efficient decommissioning of the Dounreay Site. This is a site‑based role where no two days are the same, and where full training, including specialist plant and radiological controls, will be provided.
What will you be doing
You’ll work at the heart of our facility operations, supporting maintenance, compliance, and decommissioning activities essential to the site’s future, it is expected that there will be a requirement for temporary shift working in certain areas. Your work will help keep people safe, systems compliant, and progress on track by:
- Carrying out operational and maintenance activities safely, including routine plant, fire, emergency, and surveillance checks.
- Supporting plant improvement, repair, and decommissioning tasks—including working in controlled radiation areas and preparing appropriate containments.
- Operating a range of site equipment such as cranes, MEWPs, LGVs, and forklifts (training provided where required).
- Handling, packaging, and transferring radioactive and hazardous materials safely and compliantly.
Who we are looking for
You don’t need a nuclear background, just the right mindset. We’re looking for individuals who are safety‑focused, adaptable, and eager to learn, with:
- Strong attention to detail, the ability to follow precise instructions, and good general safety awareness.
- Practical, hands‑on experience, trade backgrounds (e.g., mechanical, fitter) are an advantage but not essential.
- Basic literacy, numeracy, and computer skills, along with the ability to work well as part of a team.
- Willingness to undertake shift work, operate in radiological areas, and learn new equipment or systems (e.g., forklift, MEWP, manipulators, ROVs).
- Post specific capability analysis assessment
The successful applicants will be required to undergo appropriate training and testing required for specific plant operations.
Why Join Us
You’ll be part of a supportive team working on a nationally significant project, gaining rare experience within a highly regulated environment. Full training—technical, operational, and radiological—is provided, and you'll have opportunities to develop specialist capabilities as you progress.
If you're motivated, flexible, and ready to contribute to a critical phase of Dounreay’s future, we’d love to hear from you.
We are looking to hold interviews week commencing Monday 6 April 2026, however, please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact careers@dounreay.nrservices.uk at the appropriate time so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment.
Some reasons we think you'll love it here
When you join us, you’re not just stepping into a role, you’re gaining a benefits package designed to support your life, your ambitions and your wellbeing.
From the big, career‑shaping benefits to the small, everyday perks, we’ve built a package that genuinely makes a difference. Enjoy access to our onsite occupational health service, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, gym memberships, continuous training and development, support for your personal Continuous Professional Development and much, much more.
We offer a standard full time working week with every third Friday off (unless subject to shift work). Your holiday allowance starts at 28 days plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days with service. Combine that with flexible working patterns where possible, participation in our Company Bonus Scheme, and up to a 13.5% employer pension contribution and you’ll see why so many people choose to build their future with us.
Join us and get more from your career, every day.
Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.
Dounreay is a member of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria, Dounreay will interview the best candidates from within that group.