£64,115 – £500KSeniorFull Time
STEP Fusion
UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable energy. Through the design and delivery of STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040.
UKFE will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.
Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.
A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/
For more information on UKFE, visit: UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf
As an employee of UKFE you will benefit from:
The salary for this role is £64,115 plus excellent benefits including outstanding pension.
This role includes a non‑contractual and non‑pensionable specialist allowance of £7,700 in addition to the salary specified.
The closing date to apply for this position is the 27th May 2026
This UKFE vacancy will be based at our site in West Burton, Nottinghamshire
You will be a core member of the Power & Cooling Integrated Project Team, reporting to the Head of Engineering – Power & Cooling, and play a key role in delivering the cryogenic systems that enable the operation of the STEP Prototype Powerplant.
As Lead Cryogenics Engineer, you will lead and own the design of the cryoplant and cryogenic distribution systems, providing critical expertise at the interface with the tokamak and other sub-systems requiring cryogenic cooling. You will also lead associated technology development programmes to mature the design and reduce technical risk.
This role offers the opportunity to set the design for a world‑class cryoplant – one of the largest globally – supporting the UK’s ambition to deliver fusion energy.
Key Responsibilities
By supporting the Power & Cooling area, you will help deliver a robust cryogenic system design that enables key fusion powerplant sub-systems, such as superconducting magnets. This, in turn, underpins the success of the UK’s first fusion powerplant.
Essential:
Beneficial:
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.
UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukifs.uk 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.
