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 at scale. The 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.
Key Accountabilities:
Product Quality Strategy & Capability
- 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.
Engineering Management System Assurance
- Provide confidence that the Engineering Management System (EMS) and governance enable safe, reliable, and high‑quality outcomes.
- Define and implement a risk‑proportionate assurance framework for a first‑of‑a‑kind programme.
- Oversee independent assurance activities, including audits, readiness reviews, and compliance assessments.
- Ensure assurance insights and operational feedback drive continuous improvement of engineering processes.
Certification & Conformity Leadership
- Define and deliver the product certification and conformity strategy for regulated systems.
- Oversee certification activities, including UKCA conformity evidence, essential requirements, and technical file integrity.
- Embed certification pathways within engineering workflows and lifecycle decision‑making.
- Lead engagement with regulators, notified bodies, and assurance partners, providing confidence in novel technologies and approaches.
Product & Design Risk Management
- Lead the identification, assessment, and management of product quality risks across the engineering lifecycle.
- Establish a structured, risk‑informed quality risk management approach, integrated with Design Authority decision‑making.
- Ensure alignment with safety, security, reliability, and environmental risk frameworks.
- Facilitate risk workshops and drive mitigation actions to closure.
Leadership & Culture
- Act as a senior Design Authority leader, influencing quality outcomes across engineering, supply chain, and partners.
- Champion a culture where quality is engineered in, reflecting the high‑consequence nature of deployed systems.
- Role‑model UKIFS and STEP values, the Seven Principles of Public Life, and inclusive leadership behaviours.
- Promote curiosity, evidence‑based decision‑making, and effective problem‑solving within complex technical environments.
