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 design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) protype fusion plant. UKIFS 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 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 ground-breaking journey.
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 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.
* Wide range of career development opportunities.
* A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive .
For more information, visit:
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 Whole Plant Performance 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 .
We offer a competitive salary which includes excellent benefits and outstanding pension. A full list of our benefits can be found here
Employees of UKIFS can be based at either of our sites; West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire .
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.
Job Description
As the Head of Whole Plant Performance, you will oversee the integration and performance of all systems within the STEP prototype, ensuring they align with ambitious program goals. This includes generating significant electrical power, producing fusion fuel, and demonstrating scalable robotic maintenance—all while managing a challenging trade space of complex system interactions and emergent behaviours. The Design Authority holds overall accountability for technical risk and decisions related to the integrity, performance, and safety of the whole plant design throughout the full lifecycle within the organisation or alliance.
You will:
* Define and Own the Performance Strategy :
o Develop and own the strategy to achieve STEP’s performance objectives, balancing technical ambition with program risk and margin.
o Derive and allocate top-level technical requirements across subsystems to achieve integrated plant performance.
o Proactively manage risks, opportunities, and trade-offs associated with technology development and performance optimization.
* Monitor and Assure Performance :
o Lead the verification and validation (V&V) strategy, progressively building confidence in the plant design.
o Address emergent performance issues with innovative and pragmatic solutions, working closely with the technical teams.
o Provide strategic feedback to ensure program outputs meet STEP’s objectives while navigating uncertainty.
* Lead Multidisciplinary Teams :
o Direct a team of ~5 direct reports and ~20 indirect reports, while influencing delivery teams to align with performance requirements.
o Oversee the integration of remote maintenance, control systems, manufacturability assessments, and radioactive waste management.
o Guide the development of advanced concepts and oversee design pivots as needed to address performance challenges.
* Shape the Future of Fusion Energy :
o Drive experimental approaches to solve unprecedented challenges, leveraging creative problem-solving and innovative strategies.
o Balance system-level trade-offs to ensure STEP’s success while maintaining alignment with program timelines and goals.
* Represent STEP Leadership :
o Deputize for the Chief Engineer at internal and external events, including technical reviews, regulatory engagements, and global conferences.
o Embody positive leadership behaviours, fostering a supportive and dynamic team environment. Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organisation's values and professionalism.
This role demands exceptional creativity, technical expertise, and strategic vision, requiring a leader capable of thriving in a high-stakes, emergent environment.
Qualifications
We are seeking a dynamic leader with a proven ability to drive performance in complex, multidisciplinary programs.
Essential Skills & Experience :
* Technical Expertise :
o Degree in a STEM-related field or equivalent qualification (Chartered Engineer status preferred).
o Extensive experience in systems engineering, including deriving and managing technical requirements.
o Proven ability to balance complex trade-offs and manage emergent behaviours in integrated systems.
o Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and ISO standards.
* Strategic Leadership :
o Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies for achieving ambitious technical objectives.
o Experience managing performance across multiple stakeholders, partners, or supply chains.
o Skilled in navigating change and uncertainty, with a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial mindset.
* Innovation and Problem-Solving :
o Proven success in addressing complex technical challenges with creative and innovative solutions.
o Ability to embrace experimental approaches and lead pioneering projects in emergent technologies.
* Collaboration and Communication :
o Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of inspiring and motivating multidisciplinary teams.
o Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, with experience engaging regulators, stakeholders, and public audiences.
Desirable Attributes :
* Experience working in high-hazard or highly regulated environments, such as nuclear or aerospace industries.
* Knowledge of legal and regulatory obligations for public sector programs.
* Experience delivering engineering assurance in technically complex programs.
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 organization. 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 following link for information on criminal records 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.