Product Quality Manager

• Site
  
  Location:
  
  West Burton, Nottinghamshire
• Department: UKFE - Design Authority

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.

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.
• 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.

The salary for this role is £73,190 with excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 31st July 2026

This UKFE vacancy can be based at either of our sites West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

The Product Quality Manager is a senior leadership role within the Design Authority, accountable for defining and delivering the Product Quality Strategy for the STEP fusion programme. Reporting to the Head of Engineering Assurance, the role provides programme and regulatory confidence that products are safe, fit‑for‑purpose, certifiable, and perform as intended across the full lifecycle—from concept and design through manufacture, delivery, and operation.

STEP is a first‑of‑a‑kind, high‑consequence engineering programme, comparable in complexity and risk profile to advanced nuclear and space systems. In this environment, quality must be engineered in from the outset; opportunities to recover from poor quality post‑deployment are extremely limited. The Product Quality Manager therefore sets the vision, strategy, and governance for achieving performance‑driven quality in the presence of technical uncertainty, novel technologies, and evolving standards.

Acting as the Design Authority’s focal point for product assurance, the role ensures that the Engineering Management System (EMS), quality frameworks, and certification approaches enable safe, reliable, and high‑quality outcomes  postholder will engage directly with regulators, notified bodies, partners, and independent assurance organisations to build confidence in STEP’s technical evidence base and delivery approach.

• Define and deliver the STEP Product Quality Strategy, aligned to Design Authority expectations, regulatory requirements, and engineering priorities.
• Set the approach for achieving fit‑for‑purpose, performance‑driven quality in a first‑of‑a‑kind fusion environment with evolving standards.
• Drive consistent application of quality principles across engineering and the supply chain.
• Establish expectations for structured quality and reliability methods, including design risk analysis (e.g. FMEA, DFMEA, FTA) and structured problem‑solving (e.g. RCA, 8D, DMAIC).
• Build and lead a high‑performing Product Quality function, embedding capability, leadership depth, and continuous improvement.
• Provide confidence that the Engineering Management System (EMS) and governance enable safe, reliable, and high‑quality outcomes.
• Oversee independent assurance activities, including audits, readiness reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Ensure assurance insights and operational feedback drive continuous improvement of engineering processes.

• Define and deliver the product certification and conformity strategy for regulated systems.
• Oversee certification…