Engineering Safety Manager – UKIFS
Overview of Responsibilities
Fusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of £tns per year.
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) 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 deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery.
STEP is currently led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. Over the next year, leadership will transition to a new Company, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. From the next government investment gate, UKIFS will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise
The Role:
We’re looking for an Engineering Safety Manager to lead the safety strategy for the STEP programme—ensuring safety is embedded from concept to decommissioning. You’ll work across engineering teams to make safety a core design principle, not just a compliance task.
You’ll drive accountability at all levels, integrate modern safety practices (including occupational health and sustainability), and build strong relationships with regulators. Your work will ensure hazards are identified early, risks are managed effectively, and the STEP prototype is delivered safely.
Accountability 1:
Lead the UKIFS Engineering Safety function
- Develop and implement the Safety Strategy in support of the STEP prototype plant,
- Engage with HSE and EA (as our regulators) to develop and agree the safety requirements for the STEP prototype plant.
- Develop, manage, and coach the assurance and safety teams, ensuring the organisation structure, technical and behavioural competencies exist to enable delivery.
- Provide oversight and management information of Safety matters via Programme and Project boards, challenging performance as appropriate.
- Act as advisor to the UKIFS senior leadership on High hazard Safety management and safety case regulatory compliance issues from an engineering and safety perspective.
Accountability 2:
Provide clear guidance on safety requirements
- Ensure consistent and robust delivery of safety that is fully integrated into the engineering across the programme, through communication of a clear strategy that will develop and evolve with the programme.
- Drive assurance, technical and safety teams in the development of tools, processes and procedures for use across programme.
- Develop a proactive continuous improvement safety case culture, engaging with key stakeholders both in design teams, and operational facilities.
- Manage safety awareness, training and development strategy.
Accountability 3:
Craft and advocate compelling safety cases
- Develop safety case arguments that convincingly demonstrate risk reduction and regulatory compliance, blending technical rigour with innovative well-structured reasoning.
- Lead persuasive discussions to present, defend and adapt these cases with regulators, senior leadership and technical teams anticipating stakeholder concerns and counterarguments and engaging diverse stakeholders to build consensus and confidence.
Accountability 4:
Represent UKIFS Safety both internally and externally
- Work with senior leadership, government and external regulatory bodies to establish a safety framework fit for a future fusion industry.
- Act as a role model and provide technical knowledge, expertise and advice to the organisation, Directors and relevant committees in Safety Matters in accordance with regulation and relevant good practice.
- Externally represent UKIFS in relevant, high impact forums (e.g. International Atomic Energy Agency Safety Directors Forum: Safety Case Forum), seeking to:
- Benchmark and keep pace with emerging industry trends (e.g. from high hazard industrial plants or fission);
- Seek relevant contacts and influence across industry on an ongoing basis in order to enhance the effectiveness of UKIFS Safety activities and the organisation’s standing in the wider community
Accountability 5:
Embody a Leadership Mindset
- Regardless of your formal position, you embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours. You embrace and embody our organization’s culture, values, and mission in all aspects of your work.
- Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
- Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork.
- Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organization’s values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
- Lead by example, demonstrating The Seven Principles of Public Life – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour.
- Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organizational goals.
Qualifications
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Degree Level Science or Engineering Qualification (or equivalent experience)
- Chartered member with relevant engineering institution
- Deep demonstrable experience developing safety cases for high hazard and/or technically complex programmes, within highly regulated or safety-critical industries
- Broad Subject Matter Expert in Engineering Safety with in-depth of engineering design knowledge
- Integrated Plant knowledge both engineering and Construction – broadest engineering platforms
- Demonstrable skill in developing and presenting structured, evidence-based safety justifications through engagement with internal and external stakeholders – especially regulators.
- Highly developed organisational awareness, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence, persuade and communicate with people at all levels within the organisation and regulatory bodies.
- Major stakeholder Engagement with government and key regulatory bodies to positively influence and persuade industry authorities to impact on legislation balancing risk against delivery
Desirable Experience:
- Fellow of relevant engineering institution (or working towards)
- Track record of creative problem solving in ambiguous or innovative environments.
- Experience of full lifecycle for technical complex plant systems within major programmes.
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, actively 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 talent@ukifs.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.
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.
Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.
We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.
