Head of Engineering Assurance

Head of Engineering Assurance

FUNCTION: Design Authority
GRADE: 7
REPORTING TO: Chief Engineer

Location: West Burton or Culham
Employment Type: Permanent

Company Description:

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of 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. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this groundbreaking journey.

For more information, visit our website.

Join the Pioneering Frontier of Fusion Energy!

Are you ready to shape the future of energy? Become part of an ambitious global effort to revolutionise power generation as the Head of Engineering Assurance within the Design Authority of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS). We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment; to view them all, please visit our careers website.

Job Description:

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- 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.

We offer a competitive salary which includes excellent benefits and an outstanding pension.

For a full list of benefits and to apply, select the apply button to be taken through to the UKAEA careers pages.

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

You will lead the Engineering Assurance function within UKIFS’s Design Authority, ensuring the STEP programme adheres to all technical, safety, security, and regulatory requirements. This involves overseeing engineering governance, verifying product quality, and establishing engineering expectations for a first-of-a-kind fusion plant. This is a pioneering and highly innovative initiative, operating in an emergent space where there are areas with scarcity in established precedents or standards. Your role is critical in ensuring that expectations mandated by the Chief Engineer are applied proportionally, balancing rigour and operational efficiency to maintain programme integrity.

Your responsibilities include:

Establishing Design Standards and Certification:

- Identify and implement the design codes, standards, and regulatory requirements necessary for STEP.
- Navigate the challenges of an emergent space with scarce established precedents or standards.
- Develop the design certification framework in collaboration with the Chief Engineer.
- Lead the development of transversal governance systems for cross functional disciplines like materials, manufacturing, testing, and operations analysis.

Driving Assurance of STEP’s Design Authority:

- Develop and oversee engineering lifecycle processes, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory obligations as well as securing the programme outcomes.
- Validate engineering tools, methods, and digital simulations to ensure their fitness for purpose.
- Implement rigorous processes for technical safety, security, environmental compliance, and product quality management.

Leading Assurance Activities:

- Deliver oversight of technical assurance processes for strategic partners and supply chains.
- Balance rigour and operational efficiency to maintain programme integrity while ensuring compliance with assurance processes.
- Support internal and external audits, driving continuous improvement across the programme.

Building a Future-Ready Framework:

- Work with the fusion community to define and develop new standards tailored to fusion energy systems that demonstrate they contribute to programme success and integrity.
- Ensure STEP’s assurance processes are scalable and adaptable to evolving technologies and operational needs.
- To gain stakeholder buy-in for assurance processes, especially when working with diverse teams across engineering, delivery, and the supply chain in a highly innovative and exploratory environment.

Fostering Leadership and Collaboration:

- Embody positive leadership behaviours, fostering a supportive and dynamic team environment.
- Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organisation's values and professionalism.
- Uphold high ethical standards and take responsibility for the programme’s objectives and benefits.
- Build relationships across the fusion community, public sector, and regulatory bodies to align on programme goals.

Qualifications:

We are seeking a visionary leader with the expertise to define and implement robust assurance processes for a world-first engineering programme.

Essential Skills & Experience:

Technical Expertise:

- Degree in a STEM-related field or equivalent qualification (Chartered Engineer status preferred).
- Proven experience delivering engineering assurance in high-hazard or highly regulated environments.
- Knowledge of design authority functions, COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards), and ISO standards.
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and digital simulation validation.

Strategic Leadership:

- Demonstrated ability to effect change at senior levels, managing complex assurance systems across multiple partners or businesses.
- Experience developing and implementing technical assurance policies, processes, and procedures.
- Skilled in managing change control and driving continuous improvement in complex projects.

Innovation and Problem-Solving:

- Ability to adapt to change and uncertainty in an emergent technology environment.
- Strong entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for advancing innovative solutions in the fusion energy sector.

Collaboration and Communication:

- Proven ability to inspire and motivate technical teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Experience navigating public sector governance frameworks and engaging with regulatory bodies.

Desirable Attributes:

- Experience co-ordinating diverse assurance systems across large-scale programmes or supply chains.
- Background in nuclear, aerospace, or similar high-regulation industries.
- Strong understanding of COMAH Safety Report requirements and environmental compliance.

Additional Information:

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.