Join to apply for the Systems Engineering Manager - UKIFS role at 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 £77,239 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension. The closing date to apply for this position is 20 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. You’ll drive the application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in a pioneering context, shaping how fusion powerplants are designed and delivered.
Responsibilities
* Define and oversee the plant-level system architecture, ensuring seamless integration across all major systems and 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.
* Develop and articulate a clear MBSE vision for the STEP programme and lead the development of system models and deliverables for the whole plant and major systems.
* Drive organisational and technical change to embed MBSE across the lifecycle and promote adoption across engineering teams.
* Build and lead a high-performing Systems Engineering team, supporting professional development and ensuring high-quality outputs.
* Develop a consistent systems engineering strategy across the STEP programme and align practices with broader engineering standards.
* Define and deliver training and development to build capability across the organisation.
* Uphold leadership values, foster collaboration, and balance technical rigour with strategic programme goals.
Qualifications
Essential:
* Degree in a recognised STEM subject
* Proven engineering leader with experience managing systems engineering teams
* Experience in applying systems engineering to large, complex, multi-disciplinary programmes
* Direct experience in system architecture and design
* Technical decision-making and trade-off analysis
* Strong communication and influential skills; able to operate across organisational boundaries
* Professional registration as Chartered Engineer
Beneficial:
* Experience with MBSE and SYS-ML
* Experience with whole lifecycle systems engineering
* Experience in regulated or safety-critical environments
* Stakeholder engagement in complex environments
* Membership/Accreditation with INCOSE
Additional Information
We welcome talented people from all backgrounds. We encourage applications from under-represented groups. This role requires completion of an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and DBS checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open-source data. For applicants outside the UK or who spent time outside the UK in the last five years, see government guidance on criminal records checks.
We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment; to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.
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