Design Chief Architect Engineer

Design Chief Architect Engineer

FUNCTION: Design Authority
GRADE: 7
REPORTING TO: Chief Engineer

Employment Type: Permanent

Company Description:
The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with the industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this groundbreaking journey.

For more information, visit our website.

Join the Pioneering Frontier of Fusion Energy!

Are you ready to shape the future of energy? Become part of an ambitious global effort to revolutionise power generation as the Design Chief Architect Engineer within the Design Authority of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS). We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment; to view them all, please visit our careers website.

Job Description:

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 of 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.
- Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service.
- Wide range of career development opportunities.
- A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

We offer a competitive salary which includes excellent benefits and an outstanding pension.

For a full list of benefits and to apply, select the apply button to be taken through to the UKAEA careers pages.

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.

The Role

As the Design Chief Architect Engineer, you will collaborate with the Chief Engineer to deliver world-first infrastructure, facilities, and plant integration solutions for the STEP prototype fusion powerplant. This is a unique opportunity to drive innovation, safety, and scalability in one of the most complex engineering projects of our time. The Design Authority holds overall accountability for technical risk and decisions related to the integrity, performance, and safety of the whole plant design throughout the full lifecycle within the organisation or alliance.

You will:

Define the Design Vision:

- Establish the architectural and civil engineering vision that aligns with programme objectives, balances technical requirements with innovative design flair, and embraces modular and scalable approaches.
- Shape the design policies, standards, and requirements to align with STEP's long-term programme goals.

Lead Cross-Disciplinary Integration:

- Ensure seamless integration of facilities, services, and plant systems, managing interfaces and resolving design conflicts through balanced decision making.
- Oversee spatial/functional/technological integration, site layouts, and virtual models to eliminate clashes and optimise performance, access and zoning.

Guide Early Concept Development:

- Lead the exploration and refinement of early-stage designs, ensuring alignment with overall plant performance and regulatory requirements.
- Translate innovative concepts into actionable requirements for delivery teams.

Manage Risk and Compliance:

- Identify and mitigate technical risks, prioritising performance, safety, reliability, and compliance in this first-of-a-kind fusion project.
- Ensure designs adhere to all industry standards, quality codes, and regulatory requirements while allowing for future scalability.

Foster Innovation and Collaboration:

- Challenge traditional nuclear facility construction by driving efficiency, modularisation, and scalable design, leveraging expertise in innovative methods, process optimisation, and advanced manufacturing.
- Coordinate diverse teams across disciplines, promoting cohesive decision-making and alignment with the STEP programme's goals.
- Act as the design authority, guiding the principal designer and contractor through construction and Development Consent Order (DCO) approval processes.

Build the Future:

- Develop and scale the Design Authority function within the STEP program, implementing best practices and ensuring robust delivery of objectives.

This role is a rare opportunity to lead and influence the architectural and civil engineering design of a revolutionary fusion energy plant.

Qualifications:

We are seeking an exceptional leader with the technical expertise and strategic insight to deliver world-class designs for this transformative project.

Essential Skills & Experience:

Technical Expertise:

- Degree in a STEM-related field or equivalent qualification (Chartered Engineer status preferred, ideally with the Institute of Civil Engineers).
- Proven experience leading architectural and engineering design for large-scale, high-hazard, or regulated environments.
- Deep knowledge of modern architectural principles, civil engineering processes, and integration workflows.
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and early-stage concept development.

Visionary Leadership:

- Demonstrated ability to set and deliver design strategies for complex, multidisciplinary programs.
- Expertise in aligning architectural and engineering designs with long-term program objectives.
- Experience coordinating delivery across multiple partners or organisations.

Innovation and Problem-Solving:

- Proven ability to manage technical risk, drive innovation, and resolve design challenges in complex environments.
- Strong adaptability, with the ability to embrace change and uncertainty while driving progress.

Collaboration and Communication:

- Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams.
- Skilled in fostering collaboration across disciplines, resolving conflicts, and achieving consensus.

Compliance and Future-Proofing:

- Experience ensuring designs meet all legal, regulatory, and quality standards while planning for future scalability.
- Understanding of public sector regulations, governance frameworks, and planning requirements.

Additional Information:

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.