Fusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of trillions of pounds per year.
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery.
UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) has been established to deliver the STEP programme, and, in so doing, spearhead the development of a fusion supply chain. UKIFS is a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and therefore builds upon decades of world leading expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations. Two Whole Plant Partners are currently being sort, to bring expertise in engineering design and construction.
What you will be doing
Reporting to the Head of Engineering Assurance, the Lead Environmental Engineer will provide specialist support to ensure the STEP prototype plant meets all environmental, regulatory, and best-practice requirements. The role covers the assessment, modelling, and management of environmental effects across noise, air quality, watercourses, and emissions. Responsibilities include supporting Best Available Technique (BAT) assessments, delivering BAT training across project teams, maintaining the plant-wide waste and emissions inventories (radiological and non-radiological), and facilitating Environmental Impact Identification (ENVID) workshops and updates. The Lead Environmental Engineer will work closely with the safety and engineering teams to integrate design for environment, support regulatory and permitting submissions, and drive continuous improvement in environmental protection and sustainability performance.
In this role you will :
Develop the STEP Environment Case
- Lead the development of the Environment Case for the design of the STEP prototype plant, alongside the Safety Case team.
- Act as the Technical Expert for the environmental discipline on STEP – supporting regulatory and permitting submissions (including a Development Consent Order).
- Define the Environmental and Sustainability Strategy for programmes and communicate it to senior leadership, and within the relevant projects.
- Act as the UKAEA intelligent customer for the environmental discipline on these programmes, define the scoping and procurement strategy for any outsourced specialist work that will deliver environmental studies for different programme areas.
Enable Design for Environment
- Ensure that environmental requirements are integrated into the engineering design, including through Best Available Techniques (BAT) workshops, Environmental Impact Identification (ENVID) execution and deliverable planning.
- Support the development of assessments and models across noise, air quality, watercourses, and emissions.
- Maintaining the plant-wide waste and emissions inventories (radiological and non-radiological).
- Check and validate the output of environmental studies and input into the performance evaluation of external service providers.
Lead Environmental Work Packages
- Develop the environment resource strategy for programmes.
- Manage consultants and Agency Supplied Workers that work on environmental deliverables within these programmes.
- Assess environment related risks for programmes and develop mitigation strategies, escalate to senior leadership as required.
- Build stakeholder engagement across programmes, facilitate knowledge sharing.
- Provide integration across different programme areas and teams to ensure they cooperate effectively on environmental aspects, making appropriate use of resources and avoiding overlaps.
- Lead the integration of environmental work within programmes with the UKAEA corporate ISO14001 Environmental Management System.
- Train and upskill relevant teams in relation to environmental legislation and other requirements.
Embody a Leadership Mindset
- Role model positive leadership behaviours aligned to the UKFE and STEP values and behaviours.
- Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
- Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork.
- Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organization’s values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
- Lead by example, demonstrating The Seven Principles of Public Life – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Be curious and encourage curiosity with the team. Champion being open to new ideas, seeking data and evidence to shape strategy.
- Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.
