Control Systems Manager in Retford

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) 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 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 UKFE, 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.

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible)
• Flexible working options, including family‑friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of employment
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders; generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to full inclusivity

The salary for this role is £73,190. This role includes a non‑contractual and non‑pensionable specialist allowance of £7,900. This position is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. On‑site working is expected for 3 days each week.

Job Description

The STEP Prototype Plant will redefine what can be controlled in real time — bringing together a highly nonlinear plasma system with complex thermal, electrical and mechanical plant. As Control Systems Manager, you’ll be the technical authority shaping how this ground‑breaking facility is controlled, protected and automated. You’ll define the integrated control approach that enables safe, stable and reliable fusion operations. Working at the intersection of plasma physics, power engineering and advanced digital systems, you’ll bring together plasma control, plant systems, protection functions and data into one coherent vision. In this first‑of‑a‑kind environment, the clarity and strength of the control strategy you lead will play a pivotal role in the plant’s success.

Accountability 1: Shape the Control Architecture & Integration

• Define and evolve the end‑to‑end control systems architecture for the STEP Prototype Plant
• Bring together plasma control, plant systems (DCS/PCS), protection, timing and data into a seamless, integrated whole
• Design for longevity — ensuring systems are maintainable, adaptable and ready for future innovation
• Set and govern clear interface definitions across teams and partners
• Identify and manage integration risks, developing smart mitigation strategies
• Lead technical reviews and guide trade‑offs to optimise performance, reliability and cyber resilience

Accountability 2: Drive Control Strategy & Design Excellence

• Define the overall control philosophy and translate it into clear, scalable system requirements
• Champion innovation in control strategies, digital engineering and advanced modelling
• Design resilient sensing and control approaches for extreme environments, using smart instrumentation and model‑based techniques
• Ensure full traceability from concept of operations through to safety and regulatory expectations
• Provide technical leadership across control platforms, HMI, alarms and networks
• Shape robust verification and validation approaches — from simulation to full plant testing

Accountability 3: Embed Safety, Security & Best Practice

• Set the standard for control system design, alarm strategy and configuration management across the plant
• Embed functional safety principles (IEC 61508/61511), including hazard analysis and SIL approaches
• Guide the design of control platforms and systems to ensure consistency with the overall architecture
• Partner with IT/OT teams to build secure, resilient systems aligned to IEC 62443
• Support human‑centred design to create intuitive, effective and resilient control room environments

Accountability 4: Connect Control Systems with Digital Engineering & Data

• Integrate control systems into the programme’s digital engineering environment (e.g., MBSE/SysML)
• Champion modelling, simulation and digital twins to accelerate learning and reduce risk
• Define data and historian strategies to support operations, diagnostics and optimisation
• Ensure high‑quality data capture to enable continuous improvement of control strategies

Accountability 5: Support Commissioning & Operational Success

• Work closely with commissioning and operations teams to shape phased start‑up strategies
• Ensure designs enable operability, maintainability and resilience — including degraded modes
• Capture learning from commissioning to continuously strengthen control strategies

Accountability 6: Lead with Purpose and Inclusivity

• Bring a leadership mindset to everything you do, regardless of role or title
• Create an inclusive, collaborative environment where diverse perspectives thrive
• Provide clear technical leadership to partners and suppliers while encouraging innovation
• Help grow a strong UK fusion supply chain, building capability and confidence across industry
• Collaborate with academia and industry to share knowledge and bring best practice into fusion
• Act as a visible ambassador for our values, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and respect
• Make thoughtful, well‑informed decisions that balance technical excellence with broader impact

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Control/Automation, Electrical/Electronic, Systems, or Mechatronics) or equivalent experience
• Proven leadership in control/automation engineering within large, complex, multi‑disciplinary programmes
• Technical knowledge of control systems: PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI, alarm management and industrial networking (including time‑synchronisation)
• Instrumentation expertise: sensors, actuators, transducers, calibration and integration into control loops
• Systems thinking mindset: requirements capture, interface management and trade‑off decision‑making
• Functional safety competence: lifecycle application (IEC 61508/61511), SIL determination and hazard analysis (HAZOP, LOPA)
• Cybersecurity understanding for OT systems: secure architecture, IEC 62443 principles and defence‑in‑depth strategies
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills for diagnosing complex control and instrumentation issues
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement across technical and non‑technical teams
• Professional registration (e.g., Chartered Engineer or equivalent)

Beneficial:

• Experience in nuclear, fusion or other high‑hazard sectors (e.g., power generation, chemical processing)
• Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML familiarity for integrated design and traceability
• Digital twin and advanced simulation techniques for control system validation and commissioning
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, Modbus, Profibus) and historian systems (e.g., PI)
• Understanding of human factors and HMI design expertise, including alarm philosophy (EEMUA191)
• Lifecycle asset management: aging and obsolescence planning, spares strategy and configuration control

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ 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. UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email [emailprotected] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

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. For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants.

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.