Manufacturing Engineering Team Lead

Tokamak Energy is a global leader in fusion energy and high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies. We work with governments and industry to develop and bring fusion and HTS solutions to market through innovation and strategic partnerships. A major part of this is our end to end capability in HTS systems, from design to manufacturing.

We are the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK Government's STEP Fusion programme, under a £70 million contract running to 2029, working with UK Fusion Energy to deliver HTS magnet systems for the STEP prototype power plant, while also contributing to tokamak systems and plasma integration.

Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Tokamak Energy is headquartered in Oxfordshire, with subsidiaries in the United States and Japan. Today, we employ over 300 people and have secured more than £280 million in investment.

We operate through three divisions:

Fusion - Fusion energy technologies, expertise and testbeds for government and private fusion programmes, including ST40, the world’s highest field spherical tokamak.

TE Magnetics - HTS systems for commercial applications including fusion energy, power distribution, life sciences, and propulsion.

Ridgway Machines - Manufacturing equipment for the superconducting, electrical and wider energy sectors, enabling the rapid industrialisation of HTS products.

We're looking for a hands-on engineering leader to help shape and develop a growing manufacturing engineering function.

This role combines technical leadership with practical engineering delivery. You'll be responsible for driving the development of manufacturing processes, tooling and automation while supporting and developing a team of engineers working on complex manufacturing challenges.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable leading projects, mentoring engineers and rolling up their sleeves to solve problems alongside the team.

In this role, you will:

• Lead development of new HTS coil manufacturing and assembly processes focusing on design to manufacture
• Lead the development of new manufacturing and assembly processes
• Support the design, development and commissioning of tooling and machinery
• Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations
• Work closely with engineering teams to create production-ready processes
• Support prioritisation and delivery across the manufacturing engineering team
• Help transition novel concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions
• Identify and implement improvements to process capability and efficiency
• Analyse manufacturing performance and make data-driven decisions
• Troubleshoot technical and process-related challenges
• Mentor and develop engineers within the team

• Significant manufacturing engineering experience
• Experience implementing new processes, tooling or manufacturing technologies
• Previous leadership, supervisory or mentoring experience
• Strong hands-on engineering capability
• Experience working in fast-paced engineering environments
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to balance technical delivery with people leadership

• Competative salary dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, plus discretionary festive shutdown
• Performance-led rewards including discretionary bonus, innovation and merit schemes
• Share options – a stake in our future success
• Pension and comprehensive financial protection package including death in service and critical illness cover
• Health and wellbeing support, including cash plan and 24/7 assistance
• Ongoing investment in your growth with training and career progression
• Be part of world-changing innovation in Fusion Energy

Important information for candidates

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.