Head of Materials Engineering for Fusion Systems

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Culham; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority, Culham, is seeking a Head of Engineering for the Materials Division to provide strategic leadership across design, build, installation and commissioning of facilities. Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams and set long-term maintenance strategies within a high-hazard research environment, ensuring governance and collaboration with internal and external partners.

The role involves delivering approximately £60m of new facilities, aligning with the Fusion Materials

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with Chartered status or eligible.
• Experience delivering in research environments and leading multidisciplinary design activities.
• Proven track record in managing large engineering teams and complex projects with strict timelines.
• Experience with high hazard plant safety management.
• Strong strategic planning and leadership to support business goals.
• Excellent oral and written communication; able to handle uncertainty.

Responsibilities

• Scope and deliver £60m of new facilities per UK Fusion Materials Roadmap.
• Provide strategic input to business cases and define engineering requirements.
• Align divisional plans with stakeholders to support UKAEA mission.
• Develop and implement engineering policies, standards and governance across sites.
• Report progress and risks to ExCo and key funders.
• Lead a resilient and high-performing engineering function across MRF I-III.
• Line manage senior engineering staff and foster collaboration.
• Provide technical leadership to strengthen engineering capability.
• Lead completion and commissioning of systems across MRF I (plant, utilities, robotics, remote handling).
• Deliver hot cells suite, including Hot Cell Extension integration.
• Lead delivery of MRF II and MRF III with civils, engineering and science teams.
• Leverage UKAEA capabilities to maximise delivery capacity.
• Implement engineering management and Systems Engineering processes.
• Oversee machine certification and engineering assurance with Chief Engineer’s Office.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Engineering management

Project management

Communication skills

Systems engineering

Education

Chartered Engineer

Engineering degree

Job description

UK Atomic Energy Authority, Culham, is seeking a Head of Engineering for the Materials Division to provide strategic leadership across design, build, installation and commissioning of facilities. Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams and set long-term maintenance strategies within a high-hazard research environment, ensuring governance and collaboration with internal and external partners.

The role involves delivering approximately £60m of new facilities, aligning with the Fusion Materials