Head of Engineering Assurance - UKIFS Ltd

You will lead the Engineering Assurance function within UKIFSs Design Authority ensuring the STEP program adheres to all technical safety security and regulatory requirements. This involves overseeing engineering governance verifying product quality and establishing engineering expectations for a firstofakind fusion plant. This is a pioneering and highly innovative initiative operating in an emergent space where there are areas with scarcity in established precedents or standards. Your role is critical in ensuring that expectations mandated by the Chief Engineer are applied proportionally balancing rigour and operational efficiency to maintain programme integrity.

Your responsibilities include:

• Establishing Design Standards and Certification:
  • Identify and implement the design codes standards and regulatory requirements necessary for STEP.
  • Navigate the challenges of an emergent space with scarce established precedents or standards.
  • Develop the design certification framework in collaboration with the Chief Engineer.
  • Lead the development of transversal governance systems for cross functional disciplines like materials manufacturing testing and operations analysis.
• Driving Assurance of STEPs Design Authority:
  • Develop and oversee engineering lifecycle processes ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory obligations as well as securing the programme outcomes.
  • Validate engineering tools methods and digital simulations to ensure their fitness for purpose.
  • Implement rigorous processes for technical safety security environmental compliance and product quality management.
• Leading Assurance Activities:
  • Deliver oversight of technical assurance processes for strategic partners and supply chains.
  • Balance rigour and operational efficiency to maintain programme integrity while ensuring compliance with assurance processes.
  • Support internal and external audits driving continuous improvement across the program.
• Building a FutureReady Framework:
  • Work with the fusion community to define and develop new standards tailored to fusion energy systems that demonstrate they contribute to programme success and integrity.
  • Ensure STEPs assurance processes are scalable and adaptable to evolving technologies and operational needs.
  • To gain stakeholder buyin for assurance processes especially when working with diverse teams across engineering delivery and the supply chain in a highly innovative and exploratory environment
• Fostering Leadership and Collaboration:
  • Embody positive leadership behaviours fostering a supportive and dynamic team environment. Act as a cultural ambassador representing our organisations values and professionalism. 
  • Uphold high ethical standards and take responsibility for the programme objectives and benefits.
  • Build relationships across the fusion community public sector and regulatory bodies to align on 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 :

We are seeking a visionary leader with the expertise to define and implement robust assurance processes for a worldfirst engineering program.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Technical Expertise:
  • Degree in a STEMrelated field or equivalent qualification (Chartered Engineer status preferred).
  • Proven experience delivering engineering assurance in highhazard or highly regulated environments.
  • Knowledge of design authority functions COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) and ISO standards.
  • Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and digital simulation validation.
• Strategic Leadership:
  • Demonstrated ability to effect change at senior levels managing complex assurance systems across multiple partners or businesses.
  • Experience developing and implementing technical assurance policies processes and procedures.
  • Skilled in managing change control and driving continuous improvement in complex projects.
• Innovation and ProblemSolving:
  • Ability to adapt to change and uncertainty in an emergent technology environment.
  • Strong entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for advancing innovative solutions in the fusion energy sector.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Proven ability to inspire and motivate technical teams fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
  • Experience navigating public sector governance frameworks and engaging with regulatory bodies.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience coordinating diverse assurance systems across largescale programs or supply chains.
• Background in nuclear aerospace or similar highregulation industries.
• Strong understanding of COMAH Safety Report requirements and environmental compliance.

Additional Information :

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds people with disabilities and women. 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 organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. 

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.

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: 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.