Assistant Operations Manager
| Posting date: | 16 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,267 to £79,434 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 March 2026 |
| Location: | Dounreay, Thurso |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Dounreay |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 46/26 |
Summary
Are you ready to step into a role where your leadership, problem‑solving and commitment to safety directly shape the success of a unique and high‑performance facility? This is your opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility within the Fuel Cycle Area (FCA) and play a vital role in the day‑to‑day management of the D1204 facility.
A rare vacancy has arisen for an Assistant Operations Manager, an exciting position suited to someone who thrives in a technically complex environment and is eager to work to obtain the Deputy Authority To Operate (ATO) authorisation across multiple plant categories. You’ll be working at the heart of operations where precision, teamwork and safety excellence truly matter.
If you’re driven, curious and ready to grow your operational capability, this role offers a strong platform for progression.
What you will be doing
You will play a key role in ensuring the safe, compliant and effective operation of the facility by developing and maintaining baseline programmes, strategies and safety documentation, supporting major projects, and managing performance across safety, cost, quality and schedule.
Key areas of focus include:
Leading the day‑to‑day operation of the D1204 facility, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient activity while supporting the delivery of key programmes of work
Developing and maintaining operational strategies, baseline plans, safety documentation and technical specifications that underpin high‑quality performance
Managing and supporting your facility team, identifying risks or issues early and implementing effective, sustainable solutions
Working toward and holding deputy ATO holder authorisation for category 1 and category 2 plants and/or deputy ATO holder for category 3 and category 4 plants., taking on supervisory and safety‑critical responsibilities
Who we are looking for
You will bring a solid technical or business foundation supported by relevant qualifications and hands‑on experience in a highly regulated environment. Your background will demonstrate strong safety awareness, practical problem‑solving skills and the confidence to operate effectively within complex industrial or nuclear settings.
We would like you to have:
An HND in science, engineering or business (or equivalent experience), alongside recognised safety qualifications such as CITB, NEBOSH or IOSH
Comprehensive experience within a nuclear or industrial environment, with a strong understanding of safety, compliance and operational standards
Post specific physical capability analysis
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.
A rare vacancy has arisen for an Assistant Operations Manager, an exciting position suited to someone who thrives in a technically complex environment and is eager to work to obtain the Deputy Authority To Operate (ATO) authorisation across multiple plant categories. You’ll be working at the heart of operations where precision, teamwork and safety excellence truly matter.
If you’re driven, curious and ready to grow your operational capability, this role offers a strong platform for progression.
What you will be doing
You will play a key role in ensuring the safe, compliant and effective operation of the facility by developing and maintaining baseline programmes, strategies and safety documentation, supporting major projects, and managing performance across safety, cost, quality and schedule.
Key areas of focus include:
Leading the day‑to‑day operation of the D1204 facility, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient activity while supporting the delivery of key programmes of work
Developing and maintaining operational strategies, baseline plans, safety documentation and technical specifications that underpin high‑quality performance
Managing and supporting your facility team, identifying risks or issues early and implementing effective, sustainable solutions
Working toward and holding deputy ATO holder authorisation for category 1 and category 2 plants and/or deputy ATO holder for category 3 and category 4 plants., taking on supervisory and safety‑critical responsibilities
Who we are looking for
You will bring a solid technical or business foundation supported by relevant qualifications and hands‑on experience in a highly regulated environment. Your background will demonstrate strong safety awareness, practical problem‑solving skills and the confidence to operate effectively within complex industrial or nuclear settings.
We would like you to have:
An HND in science, engineering or business (or equivalent experience), alongside recognised safety qualifications such as CITB, NEBOSH or IOSH
Comprehensive experience within a nuclear or industrial environment, with a strong understanding of safety, compliance and operational standards
Post specific physical capability analysis
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.