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 ground breaking 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

The salary for this role is £81,090 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. 

This role is based at the following site: 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

With a proven track record across major projects like ITER, MRF, RACE, and partnerships with academia and UK industry, our Fabrication, Installation and Maintenance Unit (FIMU) delivers world-class manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance of complex, high-precision systems. As Group Leader, you will lead expert teams in welding, materials joining, and additive manufacturing, driving innovation and delivering UKAEA’s materials joining goals while shaping future opportunities. Be part of a forward-thinking, flexible, and collaborative environment where excellence and progress go hand in hand. 

If you have good knowledge of joining processes such as Welding, Vacuum Brazing, Diffusion Bonding, or Additive Manufacturing, along with proven leadership experience in a technology-focused role, we’d love to hear from you. 

Key Accountabilities:

Below is a quick overview of the key accountabilities for this role and  full details can be found in our Job Description:

• Lead the Materials Joining and Additive Manufacturing, providing strategic technical leadership.  
• Lead a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with UKAEA policies, legislation, and best practices, while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.  
• Ensure technical integrity, governance, and compliance across all welding, joining, and additive manufacturing activities.  
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and safety risks in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.  
• Define and implement standards, processes, and competency frameworks to uphold quality and procedural excellence.  
• Develop and deliver future-focused strategies, including capability building through apprenticeships and graduate programmes.  
• Manage staff and teams of external contractors, and oversee programme delivery, including funding, record-keeping, and continuous improvement. 
• Oversee programme delivery, ensuring proper funding, robust record-keeping, safe systems of work, and continuous improvement across engineering activities. 

Essential

• Degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience. 
• Chartered Engineer with membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g., IMechE, TWI). 
• IOSH Managing Safely certificate. A track record of delivering high technology science or technology constructions to time, budget, safety and quality Broad and deep understanding of construction processes, practices, current standards and industry best-practice Demonstrated ability to lead teams and develop organisations 
• Proven track record delivering high-technology science or construction projects to time, budget, safety, and quality standards. 
• Broad understanding of construction processes, practices, current standards, and industry best practice. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and develop organisational capability. 
• Familiarity with Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (PESR) and Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR). 
• Sound understanding of NDT processes and techniques; PCN certification advantageous. 
• Expert knowledge of joining processes, including Welding, Vacuum Brazing, Diffusion Bonding, or Additive Manufacturing. 
• Demonstrable leadership experience in a technology-focused role. 

Desirable

• Knowledge of relevant welding and fabrication codes and standards, including standards for welder qualification, welding procedures, pressure vessels, piping, and structural steel (e.g., BS EN 15614, EN 9606, ASME IX, BS EN 13480, ASME III & VIII, B31 series, EN 1090). 
• Experience with business finance, including P&L management and external quoting. 
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality control processes. 
• Experience with Additive Manufacturing processes and metallurgy. 

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 who want to help us achieve our mission.  We are under-represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion 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.

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.