Civils Manager

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 trillions of pounds 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.

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) has been established to deliver the STEP programme, and, in so doing, spearhead the development of a fusion supply chain. UKIFS is a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and therefore builds upon decades of world leading expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations. Two Whole Plant Partners are currently being sort, to bring expertise in engineering design and construction.

The Civil Manager will collaborate with the STEP Chief Architect Engineer to lead the design of civil engineering, groundworks, infrastructure, and supporting facilities that will house the STEP Prototype Fusion Powerplant. Their mission is to deliver a fully integrated product, meeting all technical and programme objectives. This is a rare and globally significant opportunity to shape pioneering fusion technology with transformative potential for the UK economy and the future of global energy.

A key member of the UK Industrial Fusion Solutions senior leadership, the Civil Manager will report to the STEP Chief Architect Engineer and collaborate with Heads of Design Integration, Whole Plant Performance, and Assurance. Working within the client’s design authority, this role combines technical depth with systems thinking to deliver a safe, scalable, and operationally effective facility. The work focuses on anticipating and shaping responses to emerging behaviours and shifting requirements, ensuring the direction and integrity of securing the programmes desired outcomes. This role is key to building a new capability from the ground up, initially covering multiple responsibilities until the team grows. It focuses on three core areas:

Assist with Design Authority for Buildings, Civil & Structural Engineering, and Associated Areas: As the civil engineer owner, you will ensure compliance with all requirements and regulations, establishing governance to review and validate the design.

Client for Facilities: You will guide facility design through CDM and design requirements, managing teams to deliver integrated solutions, and develop plans through to construction and the DCO approval process.  You will also be engaging with Senior Stakeholders with regulators, planning authorities, and local communities.

In collaboration with the Chief Architect Engineer and input from diverse subject matter experts, you will shape the civil plant design for all facilities, set detailed objectives, and guide its evolution throughout the plant's lifecycle.

You will help define and guide the approach to civil building design, layout, and integration across the plant and site, setting clear directions, policies, objectives, and high-level requirements for the design teams.

Accountability 1:  Set and Drive Civil Plant Design Vision

• Define and own the overarching vision for the civil design for all facilities and buildings required to house the powerplant.
• Establish high-level objectives and requirements that guide the system towards a high-performing, safe, and sustainable prototype.
• You will ensure the design evolves with clear direction, aligning with the programme’s goals and long-term vision.

Accountability 2:  Ensure Integration and Design Integrity

• Develop inventive strategies to address gaps, ensuring seamless integration and rapid progress by recognising the differing stages of maturity between plant and civil facility design.
• Recognise and address the inherent complexity of integrating civil infrastructure with a rapidly evolving fusion plant design, where systems may mature at different rates.
• Define and implement policies, strategies, and standards for civil engineering design, establishing governance to ensure organisational adherence.
• Assist with the integration of building design services and the civil structure.
• Coordinate building specialisms to ensure consistency in approaches and standards across the site.
• Resolve conflicts, balance competing objectives, and negotiate trade-offs to deliver a fully integrated civil plant design that achieves optimal performance in line with the design vision.

Accountability 3:  Own and Manage Technical Risk and Safety

• Be accountable for identifying, managing, and mitigating technical risks.
• Ensure all design decisions prioritise safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance, balancing risk with performance, especially in the context of this first-of-a-kind fusion project.
• Uphold safety standards across all design and operational stages.
• Having awareness on the benefits of BIM (Building Information Modelling) or other digital engineering tools.

Accountability 4:  Explore and Define Early Design Concepts

• Lead the investigation and incubation of early-stage concepts in areas of low design maturity. Assess their potential impact on the whole plant design, translating innovative ideas into concrete requirements.
• Your leadership in early design work will set the foundation for the plant’s evolution.

Accountability 5:  Lead Cross -Disciplinary Collaboration 

• Help foster interdisciplinary collaboration, coordinating teams across systems, location, time, materials, controls, and operations.
• Ensure that all domains work cohesively, driving integrated decision-making that reflects the plant’s complex and emergent nature.
• Your leadership will align diverse teams around a unified design strategy.

Accountability 6:  Ensure Compliance and Future Scalability

• Ensure that the facility and civil building design meets all relevant industry standards, quality codes, and regulatory requirements.
• You will also focus on scalability, designing for future iterations and ensuring the plant’s long-term viability and adaptability as new technologies and operational needs emerge.

Accountability 7:  Organisation Effectiveness

• Help oversee the day-to-day management of the Design Authority function, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and compliance with STEP Programme and UKIFS policies.
• Lead the development and execution of the implementation strategy, manage prioritisation and value engineering efforts, and ensure activities stay on track with budget, quality, and performance targets.
• Foster continuous improvement, drive innovation, and provide regular progress reports with actionable insights to enhance programme delivery.

Accountability 8:  Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Role model positive leadership behaviours aligned to the UKIFS and STEP values and behaviours.
• 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)
• Be curious and encourage curiosity with the team.  Champion being open to new ideas, seeking data and evidence to shape strategy.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

Essential Skills and Experience: 

• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent, preferably Institute of Civil Engineers.
• Proven ability to distil complex technical challenges into clear strategies and actions.
• Proven leadership of complex systems engineering workflows, including the derivation of requirements from objectives and the management of subsequent V&V activities.
• Delivery of engineering / technical assurance/construction in high hazard or highly regulated environments
• Experience of designing heavy structures (civil nuclear and/or defence)
• Experience of working in an organisation that holds design authority.
• Managing change and change controls.
• Excellent knowledge of modern civil engineering principles, standards, equations, and processes
• Selecting appropriate locations for new construction projects to take place.
• Contractor oversight/management 
• Site Safety 
• Presenting detailed schematics, plans and budgets to key stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating diverse delivery across multiple partners or businesses.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance and sustainability principles in civil design.

Desirable Experience: 

• Public Sector Knowledge UK: Familiarity with the specific regulations, policies, and governance frameworks applicable to public sector organisations
• Experience working in an emergent tech environment.
• Experience delivering technical assurance in high hazard and/or technically complex major programmes.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems.

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 [email protected] 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.