Head of Engineering – Fuel Cycle

Location: West Burton or Culham

Employment Type: Permanent

Company Description: The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through the design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with the 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 UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain, with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme of 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.
• Emergency paid leave.
• Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

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 UKIFS.

The Role: As the Head of Engineering – Fuel Cycle, you will lead the engineering and integration of critical fuel cycle systems, including tritium recovery, breeder extraction, and purification processes. This is a central role within UKIFS’s senior leadership, requiring exceptional technical expertise, strategic vision, and collaboration skills to ensure the successful delivery of these complex and groundbreaking systems.

You will:

• Lead Engineering Excellence: Oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers, strategic partners, and Whole Plant Partners (WPPs), ensuring design activities align with STEP’s goals. Manage and optimise a budget exceeding £3M (with significant growth expected). Provide technical leadership for first-of-a-kind fuel cycle systems with low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).
• Ensure Integration and Collaboration: Act as the intelligent client, ensuring the seamless integration of fuel cycle systems with the wider STEP plant. Work closely with government bodies, regulatory authorities, and industrial partners to maintain technical coherence and compliance.
• Drive Innovation and Risk Management: Develop and implement digital solutions, such as PLM systems and virtual twins to enhance technical delivery and decision-making. Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Shape the Future of Fusion Technology: Establish and maintain technical standards for the development and operation of fuel cycle systems. Foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration to achieve STEP’s ambitious milestones.

This role is your opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant technological breakthroughs of our time while shaping the future of energy systems on a global scale.

Qualifications: We are seeking a forward-thinking leader with the expertise and passion to deliver transformative engineering solutions.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Technical Expertise: A degree in a STEM-related field (with Chartered Engineer status). Proven success in delivering complex, high-tech engineering projects within a regulated environment. Deep understanding of fusion fuel cycles, tritium recovery, and breeder extraction system design. Knowledge of system interdependencies and engineering lifecycle processes, including low-TRL development.
• Strategic Vision and Innovation: Demonstrated ability to align technical strategies with long-term organisational objectives. Experience leveraging digital transformation tools, such as PLM systems, to optimise engineering outcomes. Proven success in managing technical risks and delivering innovative solutions.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Inspirational leadership style with experience managing interdisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists. Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels and resolve conflicts effectively. Experience in building partnerships across industry, government, and academia.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Ability to navigate uncertainty, embrace emerging technologies, and lead in an evolving environment. Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for advancing innovative solutions in the fusion energy sector.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, or other high-regulation industries.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing techniques or materials science.
• Experience working within public-private partnerships or global consortia.

Additional Information: We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (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.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the UK Government website 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 records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.