Systems Engineering Manager - UKIFS

Company Description

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 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, however, we actively support requests for flexible Working. 

As an employee of UKIFS you will benefit from:

• 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.
• 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.

The salary for this role is £ £77,239 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 20th of October. 

This UKIFS vacancy can be based at either of our sites; West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire.

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

Job Description

Your Mission:

As Systems Engineering Manager, you will lead the systems engineering capability for the STEP programme, ensuring the integration of plant-wide systems and delivery of a robust, cohesive design. You’ll drive the application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in a pioneering context, shaping how fusion powerplants are designed and delivered.

Key Responsibilities

As Systems Engineering Manager, you will play a pivotal role in delivering an integrated design for the STEP prototype fusion plant. You’ll lead the systems engineering capability within UKIFS, applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in a ground breaking context and ensuring robust, cohesive solutions across the programme.

Lead System Design And Integration:

• Define and oversee the plant-level system architecture, ensuring seamless integration across all major systems and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Lead the decomposition and traceability of requirements from plant-level down to subsystem level, ensuring alignment with programme objectives.
• Manage interface definitions and resolve technical conflicts between subsystems to maintain design integrity.
• Facilitate and participate in technical design reviews and trade-off studies to evaluate alternative solutions and optimise system performance.
• Serve as the technical authority for system-level decisions, guiding integration and design resolution across the programme.

Champion Mbse Strategy And Implementation:

• Develop and articulate a clear vision for MBSE application within the STEP programme, recognising the unique challenges of fusion plant design.
• Lead the development of system models and associated engineering deliverables for the whole plant and major systems.
• Drive organisational and technical change to embed MBSE across the engineering lifecycle.
• Promote MBSE adoption across all engineering teams, enabling consistent modelling practices and improved collaboration.
• Continuously improve MBSE capabilities, tools, and workflows to enhance engineering efficiency and quality.

Manage The Systems Engineering Team:

• Provide line management and leadership for the Design Authority’s systems engineering team.
• Build and sustain a high-performing team with the skills and mindset needed to deliver complex systems integration.
• Support professional development through coaching, mentoring, and training.
• Ensure the team delivers high-quality system models and engineering outputs aligned with programme needs.

Lead Systems Engineering Across Step:

• Develop and implement a consistent systems engineering strategy across the entire STEP programme.
• Collaborate with the Head of Engineering Governance to align systems engineering practices with broader engineering standards.
• Lead the development of tools, processes, and procedures to support systems engineering delivery across all IPTs.
• Define and deliver a systems engineering training and development strategy to build capability across the organisation.

Embody A Leadership Mindset:

• Demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and resilience in solving complex engineering challenges.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture aligned with UKIFS values.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, promoting professionalism, integrity, and ethical behaviour.
• Uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life in all aspects of your work.
• Make informed decisions that balance technical rigour with strategic programme 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 application of systems engineering in 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 specifically a 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

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurotypical individuals. Our Executive team, and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion 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.

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.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants . If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.