Salary: £86,758 + excellent benefits including outstanding pensionDivision: UKFE - Risk Assurance and RegulationSite Location: West Burton, NottinghamshireDepartment: UKFE - RegulationCompany DescriptionThe UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of 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 UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy 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 UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground‑breaking journey.Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.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.A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.The salary for this role is £86,758+ excellent benefits including outstanding pension.The closing date to apply for this position is the 4th May 2026.This UKFE vacancy will be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.Job DescriptionFusion 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 experience in delivery.STEP is supported by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. (UKFE) is a relatively new organisation established to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. UKFE 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.The Role:Reporting to the Director of Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance, you will be accountable for setting the vision and leading the delivery of the Infrastructure Quality Strategy across UKFE.This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across programmes, suppliers, and partners. You will ensure that quality management systems, assurance approaches, and behaviours enable safe, efficient, and effective delivery of highly complex infrastructure.You will lead and develop a high‑performing team of quality professionals and work closely with engineering, assurance, SHE, procurement, and programme teams to embed quality as a core enabler of mission success.What You’ll Be Responsible ForInfrastructure Quality Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and implement a scalable Infrastructure Quality Strategy aligned with UKFE’s mission and objectivesChampion quality as a critical driver of safety, efficiency, and performanceProvide visible leadership across all infrastructure‑focused delivery activitiesQuality Culture, Capability & TrainingLead cultural change to build a proactive, learning‑led quality cultureDefine and deliver quality training and awareness programmesGrow quality maturity across UKFE and its infrastructure supply chainQuality Assurance, Governance & PerformanceEnsure effective deployment of quality assurance through a three‑lines‑of‑defence modelEstablish and report quality KPIs, monitoring performance and driving improvementManage embedded quality resources across major programmes and projectsManagement Systems & ISO ComplianceMaintain and continually improve ISO 9001:2015 compliant management systemsEnsure management system controls are robust, scalable, and fit for future phases of deliveryProvide expert advice on quality standards and regulatory expectationsDefine supplier quality requirements and support procurement and tendering activitiesEngage with internal teams and delivery partners to meet customer and stakeholder needsUse audits, investigations, and lessons learned to drive preventative action and improvementRepresent UKFE externally with credibility across industry and professional forumsLeadership & ValuesAct as a role model for inclusive, ethical, and values‑led leadershipFoster a collaborative, respectful, and high‑performing team environmentEmbody UKFE’s mission and culture at every levelQualificationsYou will be an accomplished quality leader with deep experience operating in complex engineering or major infrastructure environments. You bring a strong track record of building and leading quality functions at scale, applying ISO 9001‑based management systems within large, regulated programmes, and influencing senior stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams. You are comfortable working across the full project lifecycle — from strategy and governance through to supplier assurance and delivery — and are passionate about developing people, maturing organisational capability, and embedding a proactive, learning‑led quality culture. Experience in construction, manufacturing, or safety‑critical sectors, along with formal audit credentials, will further strengthen your ability to succeed in this role.Essential Skills and Experience:Degree (or equivalent) in engineering or a science discipline, or Chartered Quality ProfessionalSignificant experience (typically 10+ years) leading quality assurance in major engineering or infrastructure environmentsDeep knowledge and practical application of ISO 9001‑based quality management systemsExperience operating at scale within major or mega‑projectsProven ability to lead, develop, and inspire quality teamsStrong audit experience across internal processes and supply chainsExcellent communication and influencing skills at senior levelsBackground in construction, manufacturing, or off‑site / modular deliveryExperience with DfMA or advanced manufacturing approachesExperience in regulated or safety‑critical sectorsAdditional InformationWe welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. 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.UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukfe.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.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 UKFE.As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:We champion safetyWe all matterWe act as oneWe are pioneeringWe deliverFor 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.
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