Prototype and Testing Principal Engineer - Test Programme - UKIFS

STEP Fusion; Sturton le Steeple, Culham; Hybrid; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fusion energy company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Prototype and Testing Principal Engineer. You will lead technology demonstration activities and drive the testing programme within the STEP Programme. Key qualities include leadership skills in managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and strategic thinking in innovative technology contexts. The role offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Outstanding pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working in a business that holds design authority.
• Ability to adapt to change and uncertainty.
• Proven ability to inspire and motivate technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead technology demonstration activities for the STEP Programme.
• Ensure the programme has the right people, tools and infrastructure.
• Provide oversight of test programme delivery.

Skills

Leadership of complex multidisciplinary engineering or testing programmes

Effective communication skills

Strategic and innovative thinking

Education

Degree in a STEM related field

Tools

Dassault Systemes 3D Experience platform

Job description

Prototype and Testing Principal Engineer - Test Programme - UKIFS

Apply for the Prototype and Testing Principal Engineer - Test Programme - UKIFS role at STEP Fusion (UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority).

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd is at the forefront of developing sustainable fusion 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.

On‑site working is expected for 3 days each week, but flexible working arrangements are supported.

Base: West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Frequent travel to Culham, Oxfordshire will be required.

• 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.
• 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.

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

Job Description

The Engineering Manager Role within Prototype and Testing is a core role in the leadership of technology demonstration activities for the STEP Programme. You will lead a matrix of technical staff across three partner organisations and contribute to all Prototype and Testing (P&T) and technology demonstration activities on the STEP programme. Alongside the P&T Programme Manager and other members of the leadership team, you will have both direct and indirect control of a proportion of the £300m budget allocated for prototyping and testing over the next four years.

Prototype and Testing Strategy & Approach

• Advising and consulting on strategic direction, and taking responsibility for a significant element of the Technology Demonstration programme, ensuring alignment with STEP goals and objectives.
• Identify new advancements, efficiencies, and ways for UKIFS to lead within nuclear fusion.
• Exploit digital opportunities to increase technical delivery performance and optimise process.
• Drive long‑term economic value via contribution to siting strategies and create additional value from STEP investment.
• Identify synergies to exploit testing opportunities, leveraging existing rigs and facilities to the maximum extent possible.

Prototype and Testing Programme Delivery

• Ensure the programme has the right people, tools, infrastructure and data to run efficiently across all phases of the Technology Demonstration lifecycle.
• Contribute to strategic workforce planning for an extended team of partners and suppliers, including early‑career involvement (apprentices and graduates) and skills pipeline development.
• Focus on digital enablement and the journey toward a digital twin/Virtual STEP, implementing the integration of P&T activities within the PLM system.
• Contribute to a robust make/buy strategy for P&T, balancing existing hardware capabilities with long‑term needs across the entire product lifecycle.
• Develop and enact methods for effective prioritisation of P&T activities, driving consistent implementation of the rigs lifecycle and realisation process to improve efficiency.
• Maintain and deliver to cost, schedule and quality with the relevant lead PM for your lifecycle area.

Leadership & Delivery

• Provide oversight of test programme delivery within P&T.
• Employ robust stakeholder management to ensure all parties are engaged and informed.
• Act as the primary point of contact for your lifecycle area within P&T.
• Deputise for the Head of Prototyping & Testing, as required.
• Embed a leadership mindset and behaviours that benefit the enterprise.
• Contribute to a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
• Represent our values and professionalism as a cultural ambassador.
• Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and ethical behaviour.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

Test Programme Management

• Collate and funnel test programme requirements from IPTs.
• Develop tools and criteria for decision making and prioritisation within P&T.
• Conduct horizon scanning and strategic approach to external testing, supporting engagement with external testing capability.
• Own and implement the test programme process.

Embodiment of Leadership Mindset

• Adopt leadership behaviours, aligning with the organisation’s culture, values and mission.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment.
• Maintain a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador and professional representative.
• Lead by example, demonstrating 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.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in a STEM related field.
• Programme or Engineering Management experience.
• Leadership of complex multidisciplinary engineering or testing programmes.
• Strategic and innovative thinker in a novel technology context.
• Experience working in a business that holds design authority.
• Effective communication skills: ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, adapt communication style to diverse audiences, and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Ability to adapt to change and uncertainty, and embrace the evolving nature of the job.
• Ability to upskill quickly and have an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Proven ability to inspire and motivate technical teams.

Beneficial Qualifications

• Experience working in an emergent tech or scientific environment.
• Business development experience.
• Experience delivering major programmes.
• Experience with Dassault Systemes 3D Experience platform.
• Experience with virtual analogues of physical systems, including accreditation of such models.
• Commercial experience in contracting and negotiating, especially with respect to protection of Intellectual Property (IP).
• Experience leading large, distributed engineering teams, including multiple partners and businesses.

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 EDI Networks actively promote inclusion and take 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, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants for information on criminal records checks. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, the application cannot be processed.

A full list of benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/.

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

Application closing date: 5 January.

Senior level: Director | Employment type: Full-time | Job function: Engineering and Information Technology.