Senior Manufacturing & Industrialisation Engineer in Abingdon

Tokamak Energy is a global leader in fusion energy and high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies. We work with governments and industry to develop and bring fusion and HTS solutions to market through innovation and strategic partnerships. A major part of this is our end to end capability in HTS systems, from design to manufacturing.

We are the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK Government's STEP Fusion programme, under a £70million contract running to 2029, working with UK Fusion Energy to deliver HTS magnet systems for the STEP prototype power plant, while also contributing to tokamak systems and plasma integration.

Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Tokamak Energy is headquartered in Oxfordshire, with subsidiaries in the United States and Japan. Today, we employ over 300 people and have secured more than £280 million in investment.

We operate through three divisions:

Fusion - Fusion energy technologies, expertise and testbeds for government and private fusion programmes, including ST40, the world’s highest field spherical tokamak.

TE Magnetics - HTS systems for commercial applications including fusion energy, power distribution, life sciences, and propulsion.

Ridgway Machines - Manufacturing equipment for the superconducting, electrical and wider energy sectors, enabling the rapid industrialisation of HTS products.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an Operations & Process Engineer to play a pivotal role in the industrialisation of an innovative manufacturing environment. This is a highly visible position that sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, quality, EHS, projects and supply chain.

You will help transform development activities into robust, repeatable manufacturing processes. You will take ownership of operational challenges, drive continuous improvement, and help establish the systems, workflows and production capability required to support growth and delivery objectives.

This role will appeal to someone who enjoys creating structure, influencing across multiple teams, and driving change in a fast-moving environment where priorities can evolve quickly.

Tokamak Energy is looking for a Senior Manufacturing & Industrialisation Engineer to help build and scale the manufacturing capability within TE Magnetics.

This is a senior, hands-on engineering role for an experienced manufacturing or process engineer who has designed production systems, introduced new processes and helped transition technically complex products from R&D or prototype manufacture into repeatable production.

You will take ownership of manufacturing processes and value streams, working across Engineering, Operations, Quality, EHS and Supply Chain to create safe, efficient and scalable production capability.

The environment is evolving, so you will need to be comfortable creating processes and systems where established solutions may not yet exist.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop and implement manufacturing processes, production lines and value streams.
• Lead the industrialisation of products moving from R&D and prototype manufacture into repeatable production.
• Develop factory layouts, production flows, workstations, tooling and manufacturing systems.
• Identify equipment and technology requirements, develop business cases and support CAPEX delivery.
• Establish process controls, standard work, manufacturing documentation and performance measures.
• Improve safety, quality, cost, delivery, capacity and productivity across manufacturing operations.
• Lead structured problem-solving and root cause investigations using tools such as 8D, A3, DMAIC, 5 Whys and Fishbone analysis.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, improve flow and remove production bottlenecks.
• Support NPI, process validation, production readiness and manufacturing ramp-up activities.
• Use manufacturing data and KPIs to identify priorities and measure improvements.
• Work with ERP and MRP systems to improve production planning, control and traceability.
• Influence and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders without relying on direct reporting authority.
• Coach engineers, technicians and production teams in manufacturing best practice.

Working Pattern

This is a full-time permanent position based in Abingdon. Given the operational nature of the role, a predominantly on-site presence is expected.

Essential Experience

• Substantial career experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering or industrialisation, with demonstrable ownership of production-line development, value-stream design and manufacturing scale-up
• Proven experience designing, creating or substantially improving production lines and manufacturing value streams.
• Experience taking technically complex products from R&D, development or prototype manufacture into repeatable production.
• Demonstrable delivery of manufacturing industrialisation, factory transformation or production scale-up programmes.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience of process development, process validation, production documentation and manufacturing controls.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects involving Engineering, Operations, Quality, EHS and Supply Chain.
• Strong understanding of production capacity, flow, cycle time, bottleneck analysis, OEE and manufacturing KPIs.
• Experience developing CAPEX requirements and introducing new production equipment.
• Ability to operate autonomously and create practical solutions within a growing or changing manufacturing environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within advanced manufacturing, energy technology, industrial equipment, automotive, EV, aerospace production, defence, semiconductors, electronics or medical devices.
• Experience within a high-mix, low-volume or technically complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience building manufacturing systems or processes from an early stage rather than working solely within established production environments.
• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, PFMEA, control plans, process capability and production readiness.
• Experience implementing or improving ERP and MRP systems.
• Chartered Engineer status or a relevant engineering degree.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and hands-on approach.
• Comfortable working in an ambiguous, evolving environment.
• Resilient and adaptable when priorities change.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Delivery-focused with excellent organisational skills.
• Collaborative, influential and relationship-driven.
• Passionate about continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Salary range £50,000 to £70,000 dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, plus discretionary festive shutdown
• Performance-led rewards including discretionary bonus, innovation and merit schemes
• Share options – a stake in our future success
• Pension and comprehensive financial protection package including death in service and critical illness cover
• Health and wellbeing support, including cash plan and 24/7 assistance
• Ongoing investment in your growth with training and career progression
• Be part of world-changing innovation in Fusion Energy

Important information for candidates

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

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