Engineering Manager

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on. Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

As an employee of UKAEA 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 your 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 equality and being fully inclusive.

The salary for this role is £71,815 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. This role is based at the following site: Culham, Oxfordshire.

As Engineering Manager, you will provide technical and project leadership on large-scale or strategically significant engineering projects, influencing organisational direction and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. You will apply specialist expertise to define, manage, and deliver complex engineering projects and lead project teams across enhancement programmes, future fusion devices, and related technologies. The role includes coordinating teams, acting as a point of authority in engineering management processes, and guiding the development of technical solutions, designs, and resolution of critical operational issues.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead and deliver major fusion system projects from concept through to detailed design and implementation across UKAEA facilities, enhancement programmes, and future fusion devices.
• Specify and lead complex, integrated engineering solutions involving multiple disciplines, including technical arbitration and early-stage definition of make vs buy decisions, budgets, and schedules.
• Manage all technical project activities, ensuring delivery within specification, to agreed scope, quality, budget, and timelines, while coordinating and deploying resources effectively.
• Apply systems engineering principles and select appropriate design substantiation methods, considering time, cost, technical risk, and regulatory requirements, including applicable design codes and legislation.
• Define and manage engineering documentation across the lifecycle, act as technical authority for design readiness, and lead design and readiness reviews ensuring compliance with UKAEA standards, including supplier documentation.
• Interface with the supply chain by specifying work for tender, acting as technical interface or contract project manager (up to £5m), and assessing and accepting supplier equipment based on inspection and test data.
• Oversee installation, testing, and commissioning of engineering systems, apply work control and safe systems of work, and communicate technical outputs through reports, publications, and external representation.

Engineering Management Group role:

• Define and implement organisational and technical improvements, influencing policy, standards, and best practice within the project engineering discipline.
• Support the development of engineers through knowledge transfer, coaching, and mentoring, including individuals within and outside the Engineering Management Group.
• Act as an independent reviewer of UKAEA projects and build effective relationships with external organisations including laboratories, universities, suppliers, and professional networks.
• Contribute to business development by identifying opportunities, supporting proposals and bids, and contributing to budgets and business cases.

Qualifications:

• A relevant engineering degree or equivalent.
• Experience in leading a significant size (preferably multidisciplinary) engineering team.
• Ability to manage technical stakeholder interfaces both within and external to active projects.
• Experience in delivering complex technical projects in a high-hazard environment.
• Experience working within a highly regulated environment.
• Ability to converse with and steer engineering analysis.
• Chartered Status with relevant Engineering Institutions or equivalent experience.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] 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.