Job Description

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 £73,190 plus a Specialist Allowance which is non-contractual and non-pensionable + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

The closing date to apply for this position is the 16th July 2026

This UKFE vacancy will be based at our site in West Burton, Nottinghamshire

As Environmental Manager, you will define and deliver the environmental strategy across the full lifecycle of the STEP programme from concept and design through to construction, operation, and decommissioning.

You’ll act as the senior environmental authority, ensuring environmental risks are proactively managed and that the programme stands up to scrutiny from regulators, government, and the public.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental Strategy & Leadership

• Define and deliver the overarching environmental strategy aligned with regulatory and sustainability expectations
• Embed environmental performance into engineering, design, and delivery decisions
• Provide senior-level technical leadership across the programme

Build & Lead Capability

• Establish and lead a high-performing environmental function
• Develop capability across engineering and delivery teams
• Foster a culture of environmental stewardship, innovation, and collaboration

Design for Environment

• Lead the development of a robust, evidence-based Environmental Case
• Ensure integration of environmental considerations with safety, design, and operations
• Oversee environmental assessments, modelling, emissions, and waste strategies
• Ensure application of Best Available Techniques (BAT)

Consents, Permitting & Regulatory Engagement

• Define and deliver the environmental consenting and permitting strategy
• Lead environmental inputs into the Development Consent Order (DCO)
• Act as the primary interface with regulators and stakeholders
• Ensure all submissions are robust, defensible, and credible

Senior Leadership & Influence

• Act as a senior leader within the Design Authority and wider organisation
• Represent the programme with credibility externally
• Drive a culture where environmental excellence underpins programme success
• Champion continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making

About You

You are a strategic environmental leader with experience in large-scale, complex programmes—ideally within highly regulated environments such as energy, nuclear, infrastructure, or major projects.

You will bring:

• Proven experience shaping and delivering environmental strategy at programme level
• Strong expertise in environmental permitting, regulatory engagement, and impact assessment
• Experience developing Environmental Cases or similar frameworks
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders
• A track record of navigating evolving or ambiguous regulatory landscapes
• A passion for sustainability and driving innovation in environmental performance

Why Join STEP?

• Be at the forefront of fusion energy development, helping to deliver a net-zero future
• Shape environmental standards in a first-of-a-kind technology
• Work within a collaborative, mission-driven organisation
• Play a critical role in a programme with global significance

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree qualified in relevant field of engineering.
• Chartered Environmental Engineer.
• Proven extensive experience in the environmental discipline, having worked with large programmes of similar complexity.
• Expert understanding of environmental and sustainability legislation and government standards.
• Experience embedding Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Environmental Impact Identification (ENVID) into complex engineering projects.
• A strong understanding of ISO14001 standard including experience in the certification process.
• A strong understanding of project management aspects.
• A confident influencer both verbally and through the production of written reports.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to enable effective working relationships to be developed with people in a wide range of roles and levels of responsibility.
• IEMA certificate in environmental management (or equivalent).

Beneficial:

• Track record of creative problem solving in ambiguous or innovative environments.
• Experience of the full lifecycle for technically complex plant systems within major programmes.

Additional Information

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@ukfe.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 UKFE.

As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:

• We champion safety
• We all matter
• We act as one
• We embrace change
• We are pioneering
• We deliver

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.