Systems Engineering Manager - UKIFS

STEP Fusion; South Wheatley; Hybrid; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy innovation company in the UK is seeking a Systems Engineering Lead to oversee the system design and integration for a prototype fusion energy plant. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering management and technical decision-making. This role offers a competitive salary of £70,505 with excellent benefits, and supports flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Outstanding pension

Flexible working

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven engineering leader with experience managing systems engineering teams.
• Experience in applying systems engineering to delivery of complex engineering programmes.
• Chartered Engineer registration.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture and oversee integration across all systems.
• Lead requirements analysis and technical conflict resolution.
• Champion MBSE approach for systems engineering.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Systems architecture

Technical decision-making

Communication and influencing

Education

Relevant degree in a recognised STEM subject area

Tools

MBSE

SYS-ML

Job description

Overview

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable 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.

Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; we actively support requests for Flexible Working. A full list of our 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

The salary for this role is £70,505 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension. The closing date to apply for this position is 20 October. This UKIFS vacancy can be based at either of our sites: West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire.

Job Description: Fusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. STEP is the UK’s flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS), a company within the UKAEA group. Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) will focus on the delivery of the prototype and the development of a UK based fusion industry.

To lead the system engineering capability within UKIFS, providing systems leadership for the whole plant. This role is critical to the delivery of an integrated design for both the plant and its system IPTs. You will directly oversee and participate in key system design activities, including requirements decomposition, interface definition, and technical trade-off analyses, to ensure robust and integrated solutions. The role will coordinate a small team within the Design Authority (DA), to develop and deliver systems engineering using a Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) approach. The team will generate system models and associated deliverables for the plant and major systems, and develop processes and tools to enable all system teams to deliver equivalent models and deliverables for their systems.

Application of MBSE to a fusion powerplant is unprecedented, so this role will deliver a vision for MBSE within this problem space, enabling an implementation strategy. The role will lead the team in delivering this strategy – including initial implementation, ongoing continuous improvement, and broader exploitation of the system models to improve the engineering workflow.

The main duties of this vacancy will include:

Lead System Design and Integration

• Define and oversee the plant-level system architecture, ensuring integration and alignment across all major systems and IPTs.
• Lead requirements analysis, decomposition, and traceability for the whole plant and major subsystems.
• Oversee interface definition, management, and resolution of technical conflicts between subsystems.
• Facilitate and participate in technical design reviews and trade-off studies to ensure robust, integrated solutions.
• Serve as the technical authority for system-level design decisions and integration challenges.

Provide clear vision for delivery of systems engineering and MBSE for STEP

• Generate vision and strategy for implementation of MBSE.
• Champion use of MBSE into the wider engineering programme.
• Provide ongoing drive and vision for continuous improvement and development of MBSE capabilities.

Manage Systems Engineering team within Design Authority

• Provide line management for DA systems engineering team.
• Develop and sustain a systems engineering capability.
• Provide leadership, training and development (coaching and mentoring as required).

Lead Systems Engineering discipline across STEP

• Ensure consistent delivery of systems engineering across the programme, generating a clear strategy.
• Work closely with Head of Engineering Governance (Engineering Authority).
• Lead development of tools, processes and procedures for use across programme.
• Set Systems Engineering training and development strategy.

Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Embody a leadership mindset and behaviours, aligning with our culture, values, and mission.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that values diversity and teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, upholding The Seven Principles of Public Life and professional integrity.
• 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.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant degree in a recognised STEM subject area.
• Proven engineering leader with experience managing systems engineering teams.
• Experience in applying systems engineering to delivery of large, complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programmes.
• Direct experience in system architecture and design.
• Technical decision-making and trade-off analysis.
• Strong communicator and influencer, comfortable working outside of normal organisational boundaries.
• Professional registration as Chartered Engineer.

Beneficial

• Application of MBSE, and familiarity with SYS-ML.
• Experience with whole lifecycle systems engineering.
• Experience in highly regulated or safety-critical industries.
• Stakeholder engagement in complex environments.
• Membership/Accreditation with INCOSE.

Additional Information

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

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage diversity. This role requires completing an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including DBS checks and possibly a search of open-source data. For overseas applicants, please refer to UK government guidance on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. If your country is not listed, we cannot process your application. We have multiple opportunities available at the moment; please view them on Careers - STEP.