Technical Risk Manager

STEP Fusion; Bole; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leader in sustainable energy innovation is seeking a Technical Risk Manager based in Bole, England. The role involves identifying and managing technical risks across multi-disciplinary teams. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Engineering or Risk Management, a deep understanding of risk management methods, and experience with PLM tools. This position supports strategic decision-making and aims to shape the future of sustainable energy, offering flexible working options and a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for diverse candidates

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or Risk Management.
• Deep understanding of risk management methods.
• Knowledge of programme risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification and management of technical risks.
• Support design decisions and ensure risk alignment with STEP’s design phases.
• Create and maintain high-quality risk artefacts.

Skills

Risk management methods

Stakeholder engagement

Communication abilities

Education

Degree in Engineering or Risk Management

Tools

PLM tools

Job description

Overview

STEP FusionUK 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; flexible working options are supported. A full list of benefits is available at https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/ and for more information on UKIFS visit UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Accountabilities

• 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, e.g. technical complexity, regulatory, material selection.
  • Define and embed processes that support consistent identification, documentation, and mitigation of technical risk across Integrated Project Teams.
  • Work 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 and work with senior engineering stakeholders to manage resolution or escalation.
  • Identify risks that may impact project/programme schedules and escalate 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
  • Embrace and embody the organisation's culture, values, and mission in all aspects of work; foster a positive and inclusive team environment aligned with cultural values.
  • Contribute to a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
  • Act as a cultural ambassador, representing values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
  • Lead by example with integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour; make informed decisions and solve problems effectively.
  • Supervise junior engineers and students, providing challenging projects and constructive feedback.
  • Adhere to group and organisational management systems.

Qualifications

Essential Skills and Experience:

• 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 organisation.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication abilities.

Desirable Experience:

• 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 (e.g. 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, 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 questions or require adjustments to compete on a fair basis.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including DBS checks. There is a possibility of SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

Please note: vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks and may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider applications for future positions or similar positions within the organisation. For other opportunities, visit Careers - STEP.