Head of Engineering Tokamak Machine

Location: West Burton or Culham

Employment Type: Permanent.

Company Description: The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through the design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with the industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype. Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.

Join the Pioneering Frontier of Fusion Energy! Are you ready to shape the future of energy? Become part of an ambitious global effort to revolutionise power generation as the Head of Engineering – Tokamak Machine with UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS).

Job Description: As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme of up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family-friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Emergency paid leave.
• Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

The Role: In this highly strategic and impactful role, you will lead the engineering and integration of the Tokamak Machine’s major subsystems, ensuring they align with programme milestones and meet the STEP prototype’s operational and regulatory standards. This role demands a visionary leader with the technical and organisational expertise to tackle one of the most complex engineering challenges in the world.

Key responsibilities include:

• Engineering Leadership: Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of over 100 engineers and specialists, driving innovation and fostering technical excellence. Provide strategic guidance and technical oversight, ensuring the engineering output meets program objectives. Develop and implement design strategies for first-of-a-kind systems with low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).
• Integration Expertise: Oversee the seamless integration of subsystems, including Confinement, Heating and Current Drive, Vacuum, and In-Vessel Components, ensuring optimal functionality and safety. Manage complex interdependencies between systems to ensure coherence across the entire Tokamak Machine and the wider STEP plant.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as the primary interface between UKIFS, industrial Whole Plant Partners, government bodies, regulatory authorities, and academic collaborators. Communicate progress, challenges, and risks effectively, influencing senior stakeholders to align with the program’s vision.
• Technical Vision: Establish and maintain technical standards, embracing cutting-edge digital tools like PLM systems and virtual prototyping to optimize delivery. Develop and oversee the creation of a digital twin for the Tokamak Machine, enabling predictive analysis and efficiency improvements.
• Programme Oversight: Manage a growing budget, currently exceeding £10M, while ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of programme milestones. Identify and mitigate technical risks across all stages of the engineering lifecycle, maintaining focus on regulatory compliance and safety.
• Cultural Leadership: Champion a culture of inclusivity, curiosity, and collaboration, embodying UKIFS’s values, while driving professional development within the team.

Qualifications: We’re seeking a visionary leader with a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and inspirational leadership. The ideal candidate will thrive in a high-stakes, emergent technology environment and be eager to contribute to a world-changing endeavour.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Technical Expertise: Degree in a STEM-related field (with Chartered Engineer status). Comprehensive understanding of Tokamak design principles, plasma physics, and system interdependencies. Proven experience delivering large-scale, high-tech engineering projects in a regulated environment, with a focus on safety and quality assurance. Strong familiarity with systems engineering methodologies, including managing lifecycle processes for low TRL technologies.
• Strategic Vision: Demonstrated ability to set and deliver organisational strategies in alignment with long-term program goals. Proven success in implementing innovative design approaches, leveraging digital transformation tools like PLM and virtual twins. Expertise in identifying and mitigating technical risks, while maintaining focus on achieving project milestones.
• Leadership and Communication: Inspirational leadership style, with the ability to manage and motivate interdisciplinary teams. Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical ideas to diverse audiences, resolve conflicts, and build consensus. Experience fostering collaboration across consortia, industry partners, and academic institutions.
• Adaptability and Innovation: Strong track record of adapting to ambiguity and leading in emergent technology environments. Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to drive innovation and identify opportunities for new efficiencies and advancements.

Additional Information: We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

Hours: Full Time