Verification and Validation Manager

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 UKs 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 Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) 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 Verification and Validation (V&V) Manager will be a key member of the UK Industrial Fusion Solutions senior leadership team. The V&V Manager will be responsible for defining and assuring the V&V programme for the STEP prototype plant. This will cover V&V activities across the full engineering lifecycle and across all areas of the prototype plant including Tokamak Systems Fuel Cycle Systems Power and Cooling Systems and Civil this role the V&V Manager will establish a clear strategic direction for V&V throughout the organisation setting expectations that ensure all requirements technical functional safety regulatory and operational are evidenced via analysis test inspection demonstration or review.

As this role supports V&V for a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) fusion power plant the V&V Manager will help develop a V&V approach suited to a prototype environment where no physical precursor exists. Requirements will evolve as the design matures and new insights emerge demanding an adaptive evidence-led V&V strategy that can respond to change while maintaining rigour and traceability.

Working at the interface between engineering integrity and programme management the V&V Manager will provide the leadership needed to ensure V&V activities are integrated prioritised and consistently executed across the entire engineering lifecycle. The V&V Manager will manage and grow a team of V&V Engineers providing technical guidance and coaching. This team will work closely with the engineering delivery teams to define verification approaches develop acceptance criteria and maintain rigorous traceability to requirements in line with STEPs systems engineering led approach to design.

Accountability 1:

Lead the Design Authoritys Verification and Validation Strategy

• Define maintain and communicate the plant-wide V&V strategy aligned with safety regulatory and performance requirements.
• Establish verification principles acceptance criteria and evidence standards for all levels of the design.
• Ensure V&V approaches are appropriate proportionate and fully integrated into design activities.
• Provide authoritative technical guidance on verification adequacy evidence maturity and requirements closure.
• Act as an advisor to the UKIFS senior leadership on Verification and Validation activities.

Accountability 2:

Lead the UKIFS Verification & Validation Team

• Provide leadership coaching and technical direction to engineers delivering V&V activities.
• Allocate resources plan workloads and ensure the team delivers high-quality outputs to programme timescales.
• Foster a culture of disciplined collaborative and proactive engineering within the V&V Team.

Accountability 3:

Oversee V&V Delivery and Technical Assurance

• Ensure Design Authority owned artefacts (plans traceability evidence packs closure statements) meet internal and regulatory expectations.
• Review and approve verification approaches for Structures Systems and Components (SSCs) worth billions of pounds ensuring robustness and defensibility.
• Provide independent technical challenge to engineering teams regarding evidence quality and completeness.
• Maintain accurate visibility of verification progress risks dependencies and non-conformances impacting requirements closure.

Accountability 4:

Represent the Design Authority in Programme Technical and Regulatory Interfaces

• Present V&V status evidence maturity and design assurance positions at design reviews and technical authority committees.
• Champion continuous improvement of V&V processes digital tools and evidence workflows across the organisation.
• Work closely with the Lifecycle Manager to define the V&V evidence required at each lifecycle gate.
• Work closely with the Systems Engineering Team to ensure that the V&V approach aligns with the STEP systems engineering led approach to design.

Accountability 5:

Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Role model positive leadership behaviours aligned to the UKIFS 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 organizations values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues clients and stakeholders.
• Lead by example demonstrating  The Seven Principles of Public Life - ()
• 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.

Qualifications :

Essential:

• Degree Level Science or Engineering Qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Chartered member with relevant institution
• Proven ability to develop and execute large-scale V&V programmes for complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles requirements management and model-based engineering tools.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex technical interfaces.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

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.

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email 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.

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: 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.

 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time