Technical Risk Manager – UKIFS

Fusion Energy Base; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy organization in the United Kingdom seeks a Technical Risk Manager to spearhead the management of technical risks across multi-disciplinary teams. This hands-on strategic role focuses on supporting design decisions and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure risks are aligned with evolving design phases. Candidates should possess strong engineering foundations and exemplary systems thinking abilities. The position also offers opportunities for professional growth within a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave allowance

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of risk management methods.
• Experience in complex Engineering design environment; aerospace, defence, automotive, process industry, etc.
• Knowledge of programme risk management techniques and interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage technical risks across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Create and maintain high-quality, traceable risk artefacts.
• Lead the development and implementation of technical risk management approaches.

Skills

Strong engineering foundations

Systems thinking

Exceptional stakeholder engagement

Technical risk management

Education

Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or Risk Management

Tools

PLM tools

Job description

As a Technical Risk Manager, you’ll lead the identification and management of technical risks across multi-disciplinary teams. You’ll support design decisions, manage technical conservatism, and ensure risks are escalated and aligned with STEP’s evolving design phases.

This is a hands‑on, strategic role for someone with strong engineering foundations, systems thinking, and a passion for shaping the future of sustainable energy.

As a Technical Risk Manager you will:

• Bridge detailed design work with a systems‑level view of the STEP Prototype Plant (SPP), identify and communicate technical risks early and clearly.
• Support IPTs in options analysis, risk‑based trade‑offs, and justification of design proposals through leadership in engineering risk identification.
• Ensure a pragmatic and consistent approach to technical conservatism, so that all engineering areas align with a shared understanding of acceptable technical risk across the PBS and design artefacts.
• Create and maintain high‑quality, traceable risk artefacts within the STEP PLM environment.
• Provide clear, objective, and actionable risk reporting into dashboards, reviews, and governance forums for a variety of technical and programme stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Programme and Project risk managers to share technical risk for handling and incorporating as part of the wider STEP risk package.

Accountability 1: Technical Risk Framework & Governance

• Lead the development and implementation of technical risk management approaches to maximise the success of a design by managing risks from a variety of sources, i.e. technical complexity, regulatory, material selection etc.
• Define and embed processes that support consistent identification, documentation, and mitigation of technical risk across Integrated Project Teams.
• Working with IPTs to develop empowered local practices for risk management while maintaining whole programme consistency.
• Leverage data within the PLM ecosystem to ensure technical risk is visible, actionable, and traceable.
• Implement and maintain risk registers and associated artefacts within the STEP PLM solution.

Accountability 2: Design Team Support & Risk Escalation

• Lead the delivery of Engineering risk activities with design teams, supporting internal assessments, reviews and other activities.
• Structure and facilitate risk workshops, assumption reviews, and design assurance activities as part of a structured lifecycle approach to risk management.
• Identify whole‑plant risks that and work with senior engineering stakeholders to manage resolution or escalation.
• Identify risks that may impact project/programme schedules and escalating significant risks to the respective programme leads and management committees.
• Support the evolution of risk‑informed options analysis and decision‑making frameworks for technical risks.
• Promote a culture of early risk identification, evidence‑based risk acceptance, and no surprises.

Accountability 3: Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Regardless of your formal position, you embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours. You embrace and embody our organization’s culture, values, and mission in all aspects of your work.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organization’s values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
• Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organizational goals.
• Supervise junior engineers and students, providing them with challenging projects, monitoring their progress and providing constructive feedback.
• Adhere to group and organizational management systems.
• A degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or Risk Management.
• Deep understanding of risk management methods.
• Knowledge of programme risk management, techniques and interfaces.
• Delivery of Engineering projects using PLM tools.
• Ability to shape and define processes and systems from first principles.
• Experience working in a diverse multi‑partner organization.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication abilities.
• Experience in systems‑thinking approaches to engineering.
• Experience in a complex Engineering design environment; aerospace, defence, automotive, process industry etc.
• Experience in proactive engineering management techniques (i.e. Advanced Product Quality Planning).

Additional Information

We 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.

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, e.g. 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 UKIFS.

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: 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.

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.

Benefits

• 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.

What can I expect from the application process at UKAEA?

Once you have submitted a formal application via our website, all CVs will be reviewed shortly after the closing date of the advert.