Systems Engineering Manager - UKIFS

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) 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 STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040.

UKIFS 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 UKIFS 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 £77,239 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 20th of October.

This UKIFS vacancy can be based at either of our sites; West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire.

Job Description

Your mission: As Systems Engineering Manager, you will lead the systems engineering capability for the STEP programme, ensuring the integration of plant-wide systems and delivery of a robust, cohesive design.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and oversee the plant-level system architecture, ensuring seamless integration across all major systems and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Lead the decomposition and traceability of requirements from plant-level down to subsystem level, ensuring alignment with programme objectives.
• Manage interface definitions and resolve technical conflicts between subsystems to maintain design integrity.
• Facilitate and participate in technical design reviews and trade-off studies to evaluate alternative solutions and optimise system performance.
• Serve as the technical authority for system-level decisions, guiding integration and design resolution across the programme.

Lead System Design and Integration

• Develop and articulate a clear vision for MBSE application within the STEP programme, recognising the unique challenges of fusion plant design.
• Lead the development of system models and associated engineering deliverables for the whole plant and major systems.
• Drive organisational and technical change to embed MBSE across the engineering lifecycle.
• Promote MBSE adoption across all engineering teams, enabling consistent modelling practices and improved collaboration.
• Continuously improve MBSE capabilities, tools, and workflows to enhance engineering efficiency and quality.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Relevant degree in a recognised STEM subject area.
• Proven engineering leader, with experience managing systems engineering teams.
• Experience in application of systems engineering in delivery of large, complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programmes.
• Direct experience in system architecture and design.
• Technical decision-making and trade-off analysis.
• Strong communicator and influencer, comfortable working outside of normal organisational boundaries.
• Professional registration as Chartered Engineer.

Beneficial:

• Application of MBSE, and specifically a familiarity with SYS-ML.
• Experience with whole lifecycle systems engineering.
• Experience in highly regulated or safety-critical industries.
• Stakeholder engagement in complex environments.
• Membership/Accreditation with INCOSE.

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurotypical individuals.