Physics World
Magnets Engineering Manager
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Magnets Engineering Manager | Lead One of Fusion Energy's Greatest Engineering Challenges
Are you ready to help deliver one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world?
Fusion energy has the potential to provide safe, sustainable, low-carbon power for future generations. At the heart of the UK's STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme lies a mission to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion power and create a prototype power plant capable of transforming the global energy landscape.
To achieve this ambition, we are seeking an exceptional Magnets Engineering Manager to lead the development of one of the most critical systems within the tokamak. The magnets that confine and control the superheated plasma are fundamental to the success of the plant and represent one of the most complex engineering challenges in modern science. STEP plans to utilise advanced High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) REBCO magnet technology with innovative demountable joints, enabling both the magnetic performance required for fusion and the maintainability needed for a commercial power plant.
This is a unique opportunity to lead the design, development, testing and maturation of some of the largest HTS magnets ever conceived while helping shape the future of fusion energy.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Head of Tokamak Machine, you will provide technical leadership for the STEP magnet systems, acting as the focal point for magnet engineering across the programme. You will lead integrated teams comprising UKFE and UKAEA specialists as well as external partners, suppliers, research organisations and industrial collaborators.
During the current programme phase, your focus will be on maturing the magnet design, driving technology demonstrations, reducing technical risk, and building confidence in the systems that will ultimately power the world's first prototype fusion power plant. As the programme evolves towards construction, your role will expand to include greater engagement with delivery partners, supply chain development and technical oversight of major contracts.
This role offers a rare combination of strategic leadership, cutting-edge technology development and practical engineering influence. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring magnet design decisions support the overall plant architecture while balancing technical performance, manufacturability, operability and long-term commercial viability.
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What You'll Be Doing
As Magnets Engineering Manager, you will act as the delegated Technical Authority for STEP magnets, ensuring the overall adequacy, integrity and performance of one of the programme's most critical systems.
You will lead the development of magnet concepts and design solutions that support the evolving plant design, ensuring alignment with wider engineering systems and overall programme objectives. Working across organisational boundaries, you will provide direction and prioritisation to multidisciplinary engineering teams whilst driving technical excellence throughout the design lifecycle.
A key aspect of the role will be identifying and reducing the most significant technical risks. You will guide technology demonstration programmes, prototype developments and model coil activities designed to validate critical design assumptions and increase confidence in future deployment.
You will collaborate closely with specialists across plasma physics, power and cooling systems, prototype and testing functions, commercial teams and programme delivery organisations. Your ability to bring together diverse technical experts and create alignment around common objectives will be critical to programme success.
Beyond technical leadership, you will help develop the long-term capability required to deliver commercial fusion power. This includes growing and mentoring the magnet engineering team, supporting professional development, building organisational knowledge and fostering a culture that combines scientific innovation with practical engineering delivery.
You will also play a central role in developing the future fusion supply chain, working with global manufacturing leaders, research institutions and technology partners to establish the industrial capability needed to support future fusion deployment. Your work will have a direct impact not only on STEP but on the wider fusion industry and its future growth.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking an accomplished engineering leader with significant experience in the development, delivery or operation of superconducting magnet technologies and complex engineering systems.
You will bring a strong technical foundation, ideally supported by a degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline and professional recognition as a Chartered Engineer or equivalent. Most importantly, you will possess the leadership skills and technical credibility required to guide highly specialised multidisciplinary teams tackling some of the world's most demanding engineering problems.
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You will have extensive knowledge of magnet technologies and a proven track record of delivering results within technically complex environments. Experience working on large-scale engineering programmes, major scientific infrastructure projects, advanced technology developments or other highly regulated industries would be highly advantageous.
We would particularly welcome candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- High Temperature Superconductors (HTS)
- Superconducting magnet design and development
- Quench detection and protection systems
- Superconducting cable technology
- Advanced manufacturing techniques
- Commissioning and operational readiness
- Tokamak engineering and fusion systems
- Emerging and first-of-a-kind technologies
You will be a collaborative leader with exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Whether engaging with senior programme leadership, industry partners, researchers or engineers, you will be capable of building trusted relationships and driving progress through effective collaboration.
Why This Role Matters
Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare.
The challenges involved in commercialising fusion energy are among the most complex ever undertaken in engineering and applied science. Success requires visionary leadership, technical excellence and a willingness to solve problems that have never been solved before.
As Magnets Engineering Manager, you'll be at the centre of this journey. Your work will influence technologies that could help provide clean, reliable and virtually limitless energy for generations to come. You'll contribute to a programme of national and international significance while working alongside some of the brightest minds in science and engineering.
If you're excited by the prospect of leading groundbreaking technology, developing world-class engineering capability and helping deliver one of humanity's most ambitious energy solutions, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help turn fusion energy from promise into reality.
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