Product Quality Manager in Retford

Site Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire

Department: UKFE - Design Authority

Company Description

STEP Fusion UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable energy. Through the design and delivery of the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme, we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UKFE will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.

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.
• 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 equality and being fully inclusive.

The salary for this role is £73,190 with excellent benefits including outstanding pension. The closing date to apply for this position is the 12th May 2026. This UKFE vacancy can be based at either of our sites West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Job Description

The Product Quality Manager is a senior leadership role within the Design Authority, accountable for defining and delivering the Product Quality Strategy for the STEP fusion programme. Reporting to the Head of Engineering Assurance, the role provides programme and regulatory confidence that products are safe, fit-for-purpose, certifiable, and perform as intended across the full lifecycle—from concept and design through manufacture, delivery, and operation. STEP is a first-of-a-kind, high-consequence engineering programme, comparable in complexity and risk profile to advanced nuclear and space systems. In this environment, quality must be engineered in from the outset; opportunities to recover from poor quality post-deployment are extremely limited. The Product Quality Manager therefore sets the vision, strategy, and governance for achieving performance-driven quality in the presence of technical uncertainty, novel technologies, and evolving standards.

Acting as the Design Authority’s focal point for product assurance, the role ensures that the Engineering Management System (EMS), quality frameworks, and certification approaches enable safe, reliable, and high-quality outcomes at scale. The postholder will engage directly with regulators, notified bodies, partners, and independent assurance organisations to build confidence in STEP’s technical evidence base and delivery approach.

Product Quality Strategy & Capability

• Define and deliver the STEP Product Quality Strategy, aligned to Design Authority expectations, regulatory requirements, and engineering priorities.
• Set the approach for achieving fit-for-purpose, performance-driven quality in a first-of-a-kind fusion environment with evolving standards.
• Drive consistent application of quality principles across engineering and the supply chain.
• Establish expectations for structured quality and reliability methods, including design risk analysis (e.g. FMEA, DFMEA, FTA) and structured problem-solving (e.g. RCA, 8D, DMAIC).
• Build and lead a high-performing Product Quality function, embedding capability, leadership depth, and continuous improvement.
• Provide confidence that the Engineering Management System (EMS) and governance enable safe, reliable, and high-quality outcomes.
• Oversee independent assurance activities, including audits, readiness reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Ensure assurance insights and operational feedback drive continuous improvement of engineering processes.

Certification & Conformity Leadership

• Define and deliver the product certification and conformity strategy for regulated systems.
• Oversee certification activities, including UKCA conformity evidence, essential requirements, and technical file integrity.
• Embed certification pathways within engineering workflows and lifecycle decision-making.
• Lead engagement with regulators, notified bodies, and assurance partners, providing confidence in novel technologies and approaches.
• Lead the identification, assessment, and management of product quality risks across the engineering lifecycle.
• Establish a structured, risk-informed quality risk management approach, integrated with Design Authority decision-making.
• Ensure alignment with safety, security, reliability, and environmental risk frameworks.
• Facilitate risk workshops and drive mitigation actions to closure.

Leadership & Culture

• Act as a senior Design Authority leader, influencing quality outcomes across engineering, supply chain, and partners.
• Champion a culture where quality is engineered in, reflecting the high-consequence nature of deployed systems.
• Role-model UKIFS and STEP values, the Seven Principles of Public Life, and inclusive leadership behaviours.
• Promote curiosity, evidence-based decision-making, and effective problem-solving within complex technical environments.

Qualifications

• Degree Level Science or Engineering Qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Chartered member with relevant institution.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and product lifecycle management.
• In-depth knowledge of quality management systems and applicable standards (e.g., ISO9001).
• Experience leading product certification and conformity assessment activities, including managing UKCA-relevant evidence, technical files, and engagement with regulators or notified bodies.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate technical and quality risks while enabling innovation.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex technical interfaces.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Beneficial:

• Track record of creative problem solving in ambiguous or innovative environments.
• Experience of the full lifecycle for technically complex plant systems within major programmes.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. 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. UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukifs.uk 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: Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

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. We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.