At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead civil engineering design for a groundbreaking fusion powerplant project.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation transforming the future of global energy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with strong support for under-represented groups.
- Why this job: Be part of a revolutionary project that could redefine energy for generations.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering and managing complex infrastructure projects required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Civil Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering the STEP Prototype Fusion Powerplant, one of the most ambitious and transformative engineering programmes in the world. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to pioneering fusion technology with the potential to transform the UK economy and redefine the future of global energy.
The Role
As Civil Manager, you will work alongside the STEP Chief Architect Engineer and senior leadership team to lead the civil engineering design of the programme. You will define and govern the strategy, technical requirements, and architectural integration of all civil engineering, infrastructure, facilities, and enabling works supporting a £10bn capital asset portfolio. Operating within the client’s Design Authority, you will hold delegated technical authority for civil engineering decisions, ensuring design integrity, managing risk, and guiding delivery across a complex, first‑of‑a‑kind environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and own the civil engineering strategy, design basis, and integration vision across all facilities and infrastructure.
- Establish programme level objectives and architectural principles for a safe, sustainable, and constructable prototype.
- Provide clear direction to ensure alignment with long‑term programme goals.
- Ensure Integration & Design Integrity.
- Resolve cross‑disciplinary conflicts and manage trade‑offs across engineering interfaces.
- Develop strategies to address design gaps and varying levels of technical maturity.
- Establish governance, standards, and assurance frameworks for civil design.
- Manage impacts of design decisions on cost, schedule, constructability, and long‑term performance.
- Own Technical Risk & Safety.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks in a high‑consequence environment.
- Ensure designs balance safety, regulatory compliance, reliability, and performance.
- Uphold the highest safety standards across all design and delivery stages.
- Define Early Design Concepts.
- Lead early stage concept development in areas of low maturity.
- Translate emerging ideas into structured requirements and viable design direction.
- Shape the foundation of the plant’s long‑term evolution.
- Lead Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration.
- Drive integrated decision‑making across engineering disciplines and partners.
- Align diverse teams around a unified plant design strategy.
- Ensure coherence across systems, infrastructure, materials, and operations.
- Ensure Compliance & Scalability.
- Ensure designs meet all regulatory, statutory, and industry requirements.
- Enable future scalability, operability, and lifecycle performance.
- Strengthen Organisational Effectiveness.
- Provide technical leadership for prioritisation, value engineering, and key decisions.
- Support the development of Design Authority capability, governance, and processes.
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation across the programme.
- Lead with Impact.
- Role model strong, values driven leadership aligned to UKFE principles.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing environment.
- Promote curiosity, evidence based decision making, and continuous learning.
About You
You are a visionary civil engineering leader with experience in complex, high value infrastructure or major programme delivery. You bring:
- Expertise in civil engineering design, infrastructure, and facility integration.
- Proven ability to operate within design authority or technical governance environments.
- Strong track record managing interfaces, risks, and cross‑disciplinary integration.
- Experience delivering large‑scale, technically complex capital projects.
- A passion for innovation and shaping first‑of‑a‑kind engineering solutions.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng), preferably Fellow (FICE) of the Institution of Civil Engineers or equivalent professional institution.
- Proven ability to translate complex technical challenges into clear strategies, actions and delivery scope.
- Experience converting uncertain or evolving system requirements into robust design basis, technical requirements and delivery‑ready solutions.
- Demonstrated leadership of complex systems engineering, including requirements derivation, verification and validation (V&V).
- Accountable for major capital infrastructure technical scope within complex, high‑hazard or highly regulated environments.
- Experience delivering engineering, technical assurance and/or construction in regulated or high‑hazard sectors, including heavy structures (preferably civil nuclear and/or defence).
- Experience operating within organisations holding design authority and managing programme‑critical facility integration in first‑of‑a‑kind or technically novel environments.
- Proven experience managing technical change and configuration/change control processes.
- Strong knowledge of modern civil engineering principles, standards, calculations and design processes.
- Experience in site selection, and presenting technical schemes, plans and budgets to senior stakeholders.
- Ability to coordinate delivery across multiple partners, suppliers or organisations.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to uncertainty and evolving programme requirements.
- Experience originating and critically reviewing engineering substantiation, providing technical assurance and supporting Design Authority decision‑making.
- Knowledge of relevant legal, regulatory and government compliance obligations.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and inspire technical teams.
- Experience of seismic design and application of American codes and standards.
Beneficial
- Public Sector Knowledge UK: Familiarity with the specific regulations, policies, and governance frameworks applicable to public sector organisations.
- Experience working in an emergent tech environment.
- Experience delivering technical assurance in high hazard and/or technically complex major programmes.
- Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems.
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 UKFE. 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. 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.
Benefits
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- 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.
- A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.
Civil Manager employer: UK Atomic Energy Authority
Join us as a Civil Manager and be part of a groundbreaking initiative in fusion technology that promises to reshape the future of energy in the UK. Our company fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, offering exceptional benefits such as a defined benefit pension scheme, flexible working options, and generous annual leave. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative projects while collaborating with a diverse team of experts in a supportive environment.
Contact Details:
UK Atomic Energy Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Civil Manager
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
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✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Civil Manager at UK Atomic Energy Authority.
We think you need these skills to ace Civil Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Atomic Energy Authority
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
