Lead Geotechnical Engineer – STEP Fusion Program

NUKEM Ltd.; Harwell; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Scheme

Employee Share Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Schemes: ElectricalVe

Technology and Cycle to Work

18 Weeks Full Maternity Pay (+21w SMP)

25 days holiday

Option to buy, sell and carry over up

In partnership with trade unions

Personal Development & Further Educ.

Long Service & Recognition Awards

Free Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

NUKEM Ltd. is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to embed within the STEP Design Authority to define and assure the geotechnical design basis for the STEP Prototype Plant. The role ensures ground stability and soil–structure interaction are adequately addressed and ALARP justification is provided for safety cases and the DCO.

The position requires 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with hybrid work and on-site presence at West Burton Power Station, Retford (3 days on site per week minimum).

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the geotechnical design basis and parameters, aligned with STEP safety functional requirements and classification.
• Assess and manage liquefaction, settlement, bearing capacity and slope stability risks for the SPP site.
• Develop and assure ground improvement strategies for large, heavily‑loaded, seismic‑sensitive nuclear structures.
• Seismic hazard response and load transfer.
• Blast and extreme event assessments.
• Integrate geotechnical data, models and assumptions into the STEP digital twin, supporting lifecycle change control and traceability.
• Support safety case authors with defensible geotechnical arguments, limits and claims.
• Interface with civil, structural, seismic, safety, CDM and construction teams to ensure design integration and buildability.

Job description

NUKEM Ltd. is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to embed within the STEP Design Authority to define and assure the geotechnical design basis for the STEP Prototype Plant. The role ensures ground stability and soil–structure interaction are adequately addressed and ALARP justification is provided for safety cases and the DCO.

The position requires 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with hybrid work and on-site presence at West Burton Power Station, Retford (3 days on site per week minimum).