Principal R&D Engineer (STEP Future Concepts) at UK Atomic Energy Authority

South Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

12 Aug, 26

Salary

71815.0

Posted On

14 May, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Technical Integration, R&D Management, Technology Roadmapping, Horizon Scanning, Project Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Fusion Engineering, Commercial Awareness, Proof-of-Principle Testing, Multi-disciplinary Coordination, Technical Writing, Strategic Planning

Industry

Research Services

Description

Company Description By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on. Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative. As an employee of UKAEA 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 and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment. 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 What to expect in our recruitment process: For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process Job Description The salary for this role is £71,815 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week. This role can be based at any of the following sites; Culham, Oxfordshire 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. The Role The Technology Development Group (Fusion Technology Division) develops and delivers technology maturation activities, typically progressing technologies from proof of concept through to demonstration (TRLs 1–6), developing optimised test programmes, prototyping strategies and facility/rig development. This role sits within the Technology Development Group and is assigned to the STEP Future Concepts workstream, reporting to the Head of Future Concepts (UKFE). It operates in parallel to STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) delivery and is focused on defining and mobilising the R&D pathway from SPP to a Commercial Power Plant. The post-holder will act as a generalist technical integrator across a broad range of technical topics. They will rapidly build a workable understanding of unfamiliar areas, engage credibly with subject matter experts, and translate emerging concepts into structured, evidence-led work programmes. They will coordinate a small core team of contributors, drawing in additional specialist resources from across UKAEA and external partners as required. They will leverage and influence R&D programmes towards STEP’s long term R&D challenges by overseeing a diverse technology development portfolio focused on the STEP Commercial Powerplant, and on opportunities/alternatives that can benefit the STEP Prototype Powerplant. A key emphasis is incorporating commercial considerations (e.g., manufacturability, cost/schedule drivers, supply chain and scalability) into R&D priorities and the evidence provided into decision-making. Additional Responsibilities: Define and mobilise the R&D pathway from the STEP Prototype Plant to a Commercial Power Plant, translating longer-term needs into scoped, evidence-led programmes of work. Provide technical and project leadership on diverse and dynamic work packages, including scope definition, planning, delivery oversight, and clear written outputs. Develop and maintain technology roadmaps to inform prioritisation, investment planning and scheduling of R&D activities to establish the commercial pathway. Conduct horizon scanning for high-impact science and technology developments; assess relevance, maturity, integration implications and commercial impact. Initiate and lead a programme of early-stage proof-of-principle testing and feasibility activities to reduce uncertainty and provide evidence for trade-offs and down-selection decisions. Provide structured input into commercial design activity by framing technical options, robust requirements, constraints and trade-offs in a form suitable for design teams and programme governance. Maintain effective interfaces across the breadth of SPP design and technology development activity to understand constraints, interfaces and opportunities that affect the commercial pathway. Act as a bridge between STEP Future Concepts and UKAEA capability: identify and bring in appropriate expertise, facilities and delivery support from Technology Development, Fusion Technology, and wider UKAEA, and feed learning back to inform aligned R&D priorities and research strategies. Coordinate a small but diverse core team; define work packages, coordinate delivery, manage interfaces, and assure the quality of outputs. Supplementing with additional specialist resources (internal/external) as required, including engagement with universities, SMEs and industrial partners. Build and leverage relationships across UKAEA and external stakeholders to access capability, support collaboration and contribute to proposal development where appropriate. Ensure behaviour promotes the safety, health and welfare of self and others and work in accordance with UKAEA policy. The role may require travel within the UK and internationally, and working across UKAEA and partner facilities and test environments, as needed to deliver work packages and engage collaborators. Qualifications Essential Requirements: Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant STEM discipline. Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional experience. Comprehensive understanding of a range of Fusion engineering challenges. Demonstrable experience in the process of developing technology. Demonstrable ability to lead and manage R&D work packages and deliver outcomes through coordinated multi-disciplinary inputs. Ability to approach unfamiliar technical topics and gain a workable understanding quickly, enabling effective engagement with subject matter experts across disciplines. Evidence of understanding commercial considerations when shaping technical plans communicating trade-offs clearly to stakeholders. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing concise, decision-useful outputs and managing stakeholders at multiple levels. High autonomy and initiative; able to structure ambiguous problems and deliver at pace with appropriate governance. Desirable: Experience of building and managing external collaborations (universities, SMEs, industry) and contributing to successful proposals. Experience of delivering within large, complex programmes with governance, H&S and compliance requirements. Additional Information A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/ UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit. UK Atomic Energy Authority 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. Salary: £71,815 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension Division: Fusion Technology Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire Confirmed Grade: Grade I Department: Technology Department

Responsibilities

The role acts as a technical integrator to define and mobilise the R&D pathway from the STEP Prototype Plant to a Commercial Power Plant. This involves overseeing a diverse technology portfolio and incorporating commercial considerations into R&D priorities.