Lead Cryogenics Engineer

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:

• 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 £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

• Act as the Cryogenics Subject Matter Expert across the STEP programme
• Lead the end‑to‑end design of cryogenic systems and sub‑systems from concept to detailed design
• Own the technical integrity, safety, performance and manufacturability of the cryoplant and cryogenic distribution network
• Provide cryogenic modelling and analysis capability to support system design, optimisation and validation
• Lead and develop a multi‑disciplinary team of engineers, providing technical leadership and assurance
• Own and deliver cryogenic technology development and testing programmes, including physical and digital modelling activities
• Apply systems engineering principles to manage requirements, interfaces, risks and trade‑offs
• Lead technical engagement with suppliers and partners, acting as an intelligent customer for externally delivered scope
• Ensure compliance with relevant codes, standards, regulations and engineering governance processes
• Support internal and external interfaces to ensure alignment, integration and successful delivery
• Demonstrate a strong leadership mindset, fostering collaboration, inclusion and high engineering standards

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:

• A relevant engineering degree or equivalent
• Extensive experience of complex engineering projects.
• Proven experience of developing and delivering complex cryoplant and cryogenic major systems and sub systems,
• Proven experience of developing and delivering complex cryogenics equipment and components, such as turbo expanders, gas compressors, cryogenic heat exchangers, cold boxes, cryogenic circulators, warm and cold gas storage and cryogenic networks.
• Experience in designing, commissioning and operating cryogenic systems operating at 4°K 20°K and/or 80°K
• Excellent understanding of UK regulations, as well as codes and standards used for the development, design and operation of cryogenic systems.
• Proven capability in engineering analysis
• Proven track record of working safely and designing for safety, adhering to appropriate cryogenic safety rules.
• Ability to perform exploratory design calculations using first principles
• Broad and deep understanding of engineering design, manufacture, testing, operations and related engineering processes, practices, current standards and industry best-practice
• Strategic and innovative thinker
• Good communication and technical writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable commitment to working in compliance with modern Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality Assurance standards
• Proven experience of managing teams up to 5 individuals.
• Proven experience of managing significant external contracts (£500k or higher)

Beneficial:

• Chartered status with a suitable professional institution
• Experience with fusion-relevant environmental factors such as relevant cryoplant and cryodistribution systems used for: superconducting magnets, cryopumps, tokamak thermal shields and other fusion related cryogenic users.
• Experience in developing designs for the fusion industry; or tokamak related systems (e.g. superconducting magnets)
• Experience in designing, commissioning and operating globally recognised and large cryogenic installations, with a total cooling power of ca. 10 kW + at 4.5 K equivalent.
• Understanding of modern project management tools and a willingness to adopt organisational approaches to project management

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 [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.

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.