Civils Manager (Hiring Immediately) in Retford

Company Description

STEP Fusion 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 the 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 £70,505 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 19th January 2026. If you are interested in the role, please apply by submitting your CV and a covering letter. This UKIFS vacancy will be based at our site in West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Job Description

Fusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of trillions of pounds per year.

STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experience in delivery.

The Civil Manager will collaborate with the STEP Chief Architect Engineer to lead the design of civil engineering, groundworks, infrastructure, and supporting facilities that will house the STEP Prototype Fusion Powerplant. Their mission is to deliver a fully integrated product, meeting all technical and programme objectives. This is a rare and globally significant opportunity to shape pioneering fusion technology with transformative potential for the UK economy and the future of global energy.

A key member of the UK Industrial Fusion Solutions senior leadership, the Civil Manager will report to the STEP Chief Architect Engineer and collaborate with Heads of Design Integration, Whole Plant Performance, and Assurance. Working within the client’s design authority, this role combines technical depth with systems thinking to deliver a safe, scalable, and operationally effective facility. The work focuses on anticipating and shaping responses to emerging behaviours and shifting requirements, ensuring the direction and integrity of securing the programme's desired outcomes.

This role is key to building a new capability from the ground up, initially covering multiple responsibilities until the team grows. It focuses on three core areas:

• Assist with Design Authority for Buildings, Civil & Structural Engineering, and Associated Areas: As the civil engineer owner, you will ensure compliance with all requirements and regulations, establishing governance to review and validate the design.
• Client for Facilities: You will guide facility design through CDM and design requirements, managing teams to deliver integrated solutions, and develop plans through to construction and the DCO approval process. You will also be engaging with Senior Stakeholders with regulators, planning authorities, and local communities.
• In collaboration with the Chief Architect Engineer: You will shape the civil plant design for all facilities, set detailed objectives, and guide its evolution throughout the plant's lifecycle.

You will help define and guide the approach to civil building design, layout, and integration across the plant and site, setting clear directions, policies, objectives, and high-level requirements for the design teams.

Accountability 1: Set and Drive Civil Plant Design Vision

Define and own the overarching vision for the civil design for all facilities and buildings required to house the powerplant. Establish high-level objectives and requirements that guide the system towards a high-performing, safe, and sustainable prototype. You will ensure the design evolves with clear direction, aligning with the programme’s goals and long-term vision.

Accountability 2: Ensure Integration and Design Integrity

Develop inventive strategies to address gaps, ensuring seamless integration and rapid progress by recognising the differing stages of maturity between plant and civil facility design. Recognise and address the inherent complexity of integrating civil infrastructure with a rapidly evolving fusion plant design, where systems may mature at different rates. Define and implement policies, strategies, and standards for civil engineering design, establishing governance to ensure organisational adherence. Assist with the integration of building design services and the civil structure. Coordinate building specialisms to ensure consistency in approaches and standards across the site. Resolve conflicts, balance competing objectives, and negotiate trade-offs to deliver a fully integrated civil plant design that achieves optimal performance in line with the design vision.

Accountability 3: Own and Manage Technical Risk and Safety

Be accountable for identifying, managing, and mitigating technical risks. Ensure all design decisions prioritise safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance, balancing risk with performance, especially in the context of this first-of-a-kind fusion project. Uphold safety standards across all design and operational stages. Having awareness on the benefits of BIM (Building Information Modelling) or other digital engineering tools.

Accountability 4: Explore and Define Early Design Concepts

Lead the investigation and incubation of early-stage concepts in areas of low design maturity. Assess their potential impact on the whole plant design, translating innovative ideas into concrete requirements. Your leadership in early design work will set the foundation for the plant’s evolution.

Accountability 5: Lead Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Help foster interdisciplinary collaboration, coordinating teams across systems, location, time, materials, controls, and operations. Ensure that all domains work cohesively, driving integrated decision-making that reflects the plant’s complex and emergent nature. Your leadership will align diverse teams around a unified design strategy.

Accountability 6: Ensure Compliance and Future Scalability

Ensure that the facilities comply with all relevant regulations and are designed with future scalability in mind.