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 £tns 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.
STEP is supported by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. (UKFE) Is a relatively new organisation established to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. UKFE will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise.
The Role:
Reporting to the Director of Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance, you will be the single senior authority for all regulatory compliance, permissioning, consenting, and regulatory engagement across UKFE and the STEP programme.
You will define and own the regulatory compliance strategy, lead senior‑level engagement with regulators and government, and provide authoritative, independent advice to the Board, Senior Responsible Owner, Programme Director, and Executive team.
This is a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of delivery ambition, public trust, and regulatory confidence. You will build and lead a growing team of regulatory professionals and play a critical role in shaping programme strategy, sequencing, and credibility as STEP progresses through increasing scrutiny and complexity.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Senior Leadership & Regulatory Engagement
- Act as the single, authoritative senior voice on regulatory matters across UKFE and STEP
- Build and sustain trust‑based relationships with regulators, positioning UKFE as a proactive, transparent, and reliable duty holder
- Lead regulatory engagement through periods of challenge, scrutiny, and regulatory evolution — including novel and emerging frameworks for fusion
- Set clear expectations for regulatory behaviours, capability, and consistency across the organisation and partners
- Act as a senior ambassador for UKFE and STEP with regulators, communities, industry, and government
Strategic Advice & Board Support
- Provide clear, evidence‑based regulatory advice to the Board, Executive, SRO, and Programme leadership
- Ensure regulatory risks, opportunities, and constraints are visible, understood, and embedded in strategic decision‑making
- Translate complex regulatory landscapes into clear options, trade‑offs, and recommendations
- Challenge optimism bias or delivery pressure where regulatory credibility, compliance, or trust could be compromised
Regulatory Compliance Strategy & Delivery
- Define, own, and deliver the end‑to‑end regulatory compliance strategy for UKFE and STEP
- Lead all permissioning, consenting, exemptions, and approval activities across the programme
- Ensure regulatory submissions are coherent, complete, auditable, and aligned with agreed policy and guidance
- Provide assurance to Executives and regulators that UKFE has a controlled, credible, and auditable regulatory approach
Organisational Effectiveness & Integration
- Design and lead a future‑proof regulatory operating model capable of scaling with programme maturity
- Ensure regulatory roles, responsibilities, and decision rights are clear and consistently applied across UKFE and delivery partners
- Integrate regulatory engagement with programme planning, engineering, assurance, and governance to avoid late or fragmented engagement
- Act as final arbiter on regulatory coordination issues, ensuring coherent external positions
Regulatory System Stewardship & Improvement
- Monitor the effectiveness of regulatory compliance arrangements and drive continuous improvement
- Support the development of proportionate, enabling regulation for fusion where frameworks are still evolving
- Contribute to national policy thinking and cross‑sector forums, positioning UKFE as a thought leader in fusion regulation
Leadership & Culture
- Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing regulatory and consenting team
- Foster a values‑led, inclusive culture that promotes learning, professionalism, and shared ownership of outcomes
- Act as a role model for ethical, transparent, and accountable leadership
