Electrical Quality Systems Team Leader

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Culham; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Bonus up to 7% and relocation support

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave and holidays

Career development opportunities

Inclusive culture

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) invites applications for the RACE Electrical Quality Systems Team Leader role at Culham. You will lead the Electrical Quality Team and ensure quality across electrical manufacturing and installation within the RACE portfolio, guiding design, build, testing and commissioning with a practical, hands-on approach.

You will develop Quality Management and test plans, oversee inspections, and ensure compliance with Machinery and Low Voltage Directives, while

Qualifications

• Extensive electrical QA experience.
• Strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles.
• Experience delivering electrical engineering projects and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to lead and coach a team in cross-functional settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Electrical Quality Team, providing line management and coaching.
• Own quality assurance across electrical systems within the RACE portfolio and ensure compliance.
• Develop and maintain Quality Management plans and QA documentation.
• Provide technical leadership through design, build, testing and commissioning lifecycle.
• Manage suppliers, subcontractors and external partners with inspections and performance monitoring.
• Support project delivery and continuous technical development with Health & Safety management.

Skills

Electrical QA experience

Electrical engineering knowledge

Project lifecycle understanding

Leadership coaching

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

HNC/HND

Job description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

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 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 equality and being fully inclusive.

What to expect in our recruitment process: For a step‑by‑step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process

The salary for this role is £57,117 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 4-5 days each week; however, we consider requests for flexible working according to business needs.

This role will be based at Culham, Oxfordshire, but there may be occasional travel to other sites.

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.

The Role

UKAEA’s centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) specialises in designing, building, and operating robotic systems for extreme industrial environments. As the RACE Electrical Quality Systems Team Leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality of all electrical manufacturing and installation activities across the RACE portfolio. You will create and manage Quality Management Plans, ensuring compliance with relevant international standards and requirements.

You will provide technical leadership in the design, approval and delivery of control panels, cubicles, operational systems and equipment. This will include supporting new projects through the design, modification, build and commissioning stages, requiring a practical and hands‑on approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Electrical Quality Team, providing line management, coaching and support to team members, while defining standards and promoting best working practices.
• Own quality assurance across electrical systems within the RACE portfolio, including leading inspections, approving manufacturing quality and documentation from suppliers and contractors, and ensuring compliance with relevant international regulations, including Machinery and Low Voltage Directives.
• Develop and maintain Quality Management plans, test plans and QA documentation, leading engineers and technicians through quality processes and ensuring a right‑first‑time approach through continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the design, build, testing and commissioning lifecycle, participating in design reviews, advising Electrical Engineers on hardware manufacturability, and ensuring systems meet UKAEA site requirements and legislative safety standards.
• Manage suppliers, subcontractors and external partners, including defining requirements, monitoring performance, leading supplier inspections and ensuring successful delivery of electrical systems to agreed quality, cost and schedule requirements.
• Support project delivery and continuous technical development, collaborating with project managers on project planning, cost and timescale estimates, maintaining technical knowledge, updating documentation and ensuring effective Health & Safety management.

Essential

• Engineering qualification or equivalent experience, such as an Engineering degree, HNC/HND, or relevant practical experience, with extensive electrical engineering QA experience and the ability to assess electrical design work.
• Strong technical knowledge of electrical engineering principles, including electrical machinery, distribution systems, relevant electrical quality standards, governance, Health & Safety requirements and compliance obligations.
• Proven experience delivering electrical engineering projects, with a good understanding of project lifecycles and the ability to produce high-quality work within agreed deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in cross‑functional teams and the ability to interact effectively with people in a variety of situations.
• A flexible and proactive approach to work, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team, support continuous improvement, and coach less experienced staff.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a safety‑dominated working environment.
• Experience in people management.

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

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority 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, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.