Environmental Testing and Degradation Mitigations Manager Job Retford area,England UK,Engineering

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) 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. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with 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 UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy 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 UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.

As an employee of UKFE, 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 being fully inclusive.

A full list of our benefits can be found here

The salary for this role is £73,190 plus a Specialist Allowance of £7,900 which is non-contractual and non-pensionable + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

This position is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. You’ll spend a proportion of your time at our West Burton site, alongside occasional visits to our Culham site.

For more information on UKFE, visit:

The closing date for this advert is set for the 9th September 2026.

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and innovative Environmental Testing & Degradation Mitigation (ETDM) Manager to lead a high-profile environmental qualification and degradation mitigation programme valued at approximately £6 million over three years. This strategic leadership role will play a pivotal part in ensuring that materials, components and systems can withstand the demanding environments encountered within a fusion power plant.

Working closely with the Fusion Partner (UKAEA), universities, research organisations and industrial partners, you will drive the generation of the environmental performance evidence needed to support design substantiation, regulatory compliance, inspection and maintenance strategies, and long‑term plant reliability.

The Opportunity

As the recognised subject matter expert for environmental durability and degradation risks, you will sit at the intersection of materials science, reliability engineering, systems engineering and experimental validation.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams to develop environmental testing programmes, identify degradation mechanisms, assess risks to plant performance, and implement mitigation strategies that support the successful delivery of the STEP Prototype Plant and future commercial fusion facilities.

This role focuses on non‑irradiated environmental degradation and qualification, working in close partnership with irradiation science and materials modelling teams to ensure a joined‑up approach to materials qualification.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental Testing Strategy & Programme Leadership

Develop and own the…