Job Description

Overview of Responsibilities

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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 tns 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 experiencing in delivery.



STEP is led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS), a company within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) group, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) will focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a UK based fusion industry. From the next government investment gate, UKIFS will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise.



To lead the system engineering capability within UKIFS, providing systems leadership for the whole plant. This role is a critical to delivery of an integrated design for both the plant and each of the system Integrated Product Teams (IPTs). Directly oversee and participate in key system design activities, including requirements decomposition, interface definition, and technical trade-off analyses, to ensure robust and integrated solutions.



The role will coordinate a small team within the Design Authority (DA), to develop and deliver systems engineering using a Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) approach. The team will be responsible for generation of the system models and associated system engineering deliverables for the plant and the major (level 1) systems. In parallel this team will develop the processes and tools that enable all the system teams to deliver the equivalent models and deliverables for their systems.



Application of MBSE to a fusion powerplant is unprecedented so this role will be required to deliver a vision for application of MBSE within this problem space enabling development of an implementation strategy (noting that effective delivery may require both technical and organisational change). The role will then lead the team in delivery of this strategy - both in terms of initial implementation, ongoing continuous improvement and broader exploitation of the system models to improve the engineering workflow.



The main duties of this vacancy will include:

Lead System Design and Integration:

Define and oversee the plant-level system architecture, ensuring integration and alignment across all major systems and IPTs. Lead requirements analysis, decomposition, and traceability for the whole plant and major subsystems. Oversee interface definition, management, and resolution of technical conflicts between subsystems. Facilitate and participate in technical design reviews and trade-off studies to ensure robust, integrated solutions. Serve as the technical authority for system-level design decisions and integration challenges.

Provide clear vision for delivery of systems engineering and MBSE for STEP:

Generate vision and strategy for implementation of MBSE. Champion use of MBSE into the wider engineering programme. Provide ongoing drive and vision for continuous improvement and development of MBSE capabilities.

Manage Systems Engineering team within Design Authority:

Provide line management for DA systems engineering team. Develop and sustain a systems engineering capability. Provide leadership, training and development (coaching and mentoring as required).

Lead Systems Engineering discipline across STEP:

Ensure consistent delivery of systems engineering across the programme, generating a clear strategy. Work closely with Head of Engineering Governance (Engineering Authority). Lead development of tools, processes and procedures for use across programme. Set Systems Engineering training and development strategy.

Embody a Leadership Mindset

Regardless of your formal position, you embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours. You embrace and embody our organization's culture, values, and mission in all aspects of your work. Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values. Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork. Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organization's values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Lead by example, demonstrating The Seven Principles of Public Life - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour. Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.




Salary
70,505 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
View benefits


Programme
Department
UKIFS - Engineering Delivery
Discipline
Engineering
Site Location
West Burton or Culham
Type of Employment
Full-time
Reference Number
REF3764Y

Qualifications

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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 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.

Additional Information

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For more information on UKIFS visit : https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf


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. Our Executive team, and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion 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.


This role requires employees to

complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

, including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open-source data.


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 following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants . 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.


We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.