Senior Quality Manager in Retford

Salary: £73,190 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

Division: UKFE - Risk Assurance and Regulation

Site Location: West Burton or Culham

Department: UKFE - Risk and Assurance

Company Description: The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype. Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey.

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 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.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 31st Aug 2026. This UKFE vacancy will be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Job Description: The Senior Quality Manager is a key leadership role within the Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance (SQ&MA) function, responsible for defining and delivering the Quality Strategy for the STEP fusion programme. Reporting to the Head of Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance, the role provides independent confidence that systems, structures, and products are safe, compliant, and fit-for-purpose 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 context, quality must be designed in from the outset; opportunities to recover from failures post-deployment are extremely limited. The Senior Quality Manager therefore establishes the frameworks, governance, and assurance necessary to achieve robust, performance-driven quality in the presence of technical uncertainty, novel technologies, and evolving regulatory expectations. Acting as the SQ&MA focal point for quality assurance, the role ensures that management systems, assurance frameworks, and certification approaches enable safe, reliable, and high-quality outcomes at scale. The postholder will engage closely with the Design Authority, regulators, delivery partners, and independent assurance bodies to build confidence in STEP’s technical and organisational capability.

Key Accountabilities:

• Quality Strategy & Capability: Define and deliver the STEP Quality Strategy, aligned to organisational objectives, regulatory requirements, and programme priorities. Drive consistent application of quality principles across engineering, operations, and the supply chain. Set expectations for structured quality and reliability tools, including design risk analysis (e.g. FMEA, DFMEA, FTA) and problem-solving methodologies (e.g. RCA, 8D, DMAIC). Build and lead a high-performing Quality function, embedding capability, resilience, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Management System & Assurance: Provide independent assurance that management systems and governance frameworks enable safe, compliant, and high-quality outcomes. Oversee assurance activities including audits, surveillance, readiness reviews, and compliance assessments. Ensure insights from assurance and operational performance are captured and used to continuously improve systems and processes. Define and oversee the strategy for product and system certification within a regulated environment. Ensure the development and maintenance of robust conformity evidence, including UKCA requirements, essential requirements, and technical documentation. Enable integration of certification and compliance activities into programme delivery and lifecycle decision-making. Support engagement with regulators, notified bodies, and external assurance organisations to build confidence in STEP’s approach to novel technologies.
• Quality Risk Management: Lead the identification, assessment, and management of quality-related risks across the lifecycle. Establish a structured, risk-based approach to quality management integrated with programme and engineering decision-making. Ensure alignment with safety, reliability, security, and environmental risk frameworks. Facilitate risk reviews and ensure timely mitigation and closure of actions.
• Leadership & Culture: Act as a senior leader within SQ&MA, influencing quality outcomes across engineering, supply chain, and delivery partners. Champion a culture where quality is proactively engineered and assured, reflecting the high-consequence nature of the programme. Role-model organisational values, the Seven Principles of Public Life, and inclusive leadership behaviours. Promote a culture of curiosity, evidence-based decision-making, and disciplined problem-solving within complex, high-uncertainty 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).