Lead Planner

Site Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire

Department: UKFE - Whole Programme and Controls

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 £51,317 plus excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 10th July 2026.

Job Description

As Lead Planner, you will support and drive the development of the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for a high-value, technically complex programme. You’ll provide critical schedule intelligence to senior leadership, ensure robust governance, and enable delivery safely, on time, and within budget. Working closely with Programme Managers, IPT Directors, and technical teams, you’ll be at the heart of decision‑making—translating complexity into clarity and actionable insight.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead Integrated Planning
  • Develop and maintain a fully integrated, multi‑level IMS (L0–L4) across engineering, manufacturing, construction, and commissioning.
  • Drive alignment across programme disciplines, ensuring dependencies and interfaces are clearly defined.
  • Identify critical paths, risks, and optimisation opportunities.
• Provide Strategic Schedule Insight
  • Deliver scenario modelling, “what‑if” analysis, and data‑driven insights to support executive decisions.
  • Develop KPIs and dashboards to track performance and resource utilisation.
  • Lead schedule risk analysis and contribute to programme‑level risk management.
  • Lead planning for a programme valued at >£20M.
  • Oversee WBS development, baselining, forecasting, and recovery planning.
  • Apply earned value management (EVM) and variance analysis to monitor progress.
  • Assess impacts of change, regulatory requirements, and design evolution.
• Build Capability
  • Mentor planners, engineers, and project teams on best practice in planning and scheduling.
  • Champion continuous improvement and industry‑leading standards.
• Lead with Impact
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
  • Act as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
  • Build strong stakeholder relationships across a complex programme environment.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading planning on large‑scale engineering, manufacturing, or construction programmes.
• Strong expertise in integrated scheduling, IMS development, and programme controls.
• Experience with EVM, risk analysis, and scenario planning.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and detailed levels, influencing senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Background in complex or highly regulated environments (energy, nuclear, infrastructure, etc.) is highly desirable.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a ground‑breaking fusion energy programme with global impact.
• Work on a first‑of‑a‑kind facility at the cutting edge of science and engineering.
• Collaborate with world‑class experts across multiple disciplines.
• Opportunity to make a real difference in the transition to clean, sustainable energy.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Physics, Project Management, Construction Management, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Expert level proficiency in programme management and scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 and MS Project.
• Proven experience working in a senior or leadership position.
• Experience in Earned Value Management.
• Able to translate complex physics/engineering design into structured quality plans and schedules.
• Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary teams in a complex engineering and high‑technology environment.
• Proven experience in programme and project planning for large‑scale engineering, energy, or construction programmes.
• Proven experience in resource loading programme or project schedules.

Beneficial

• Experience in nuclear, fusion, or large scientific infrastructure.
• Experience in defence, aerospace, or other first‑of‑a‑kind technologies.
• Eligibility for security vetting.
• Knowledge of fusion reactor systems, superconducting magnets, plasma confinement, or related engineering disciplines.
• Experience in NEC form of contract.
• Professional certifications (APM, PMI‑SP, PSP, PMP).

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 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 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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants for information on criminal record checks. 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 record check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.