Head of Diagnostics and Data Controls (DDC)

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 an exceptional leader to head our Diagnostics, Data & Controls (DDC) function – a critical part of our Fusion Division and central to the success of our ST40 tokamak programme.

You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team of ~30 scientists and engineers across diagnostics, data analysis and plasma control, responsible for delivering complex, high-value programmes that underpin our experimental campaigns and future devices.

This is a role that blends strategic leadership, technical credibility, and people-first management. You’ll guide the team through an exciting period of transformation – shaping culture, developing capability, and ensuring successful delivery of major upgrade programmes (including the ongoing ST40 development work).

 What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture
• Own delivery of complex programmes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to business priorities
• Shape strategy and future capability, defining the DDC roadmap and contributing to the wider Fusion Division strategy
• Develop people and leaders, supporting line managers and embedding effective performance management across the function
• Champion a strong team culture, guiding a technically brilliant but diverse team through ongoing organisational change
• Ensure safety and compliance, leading within a high-hazard, safety-critical R&D environment
• Integrate diagnostics, data and control systems, maximising experimental value and ensuring robust, reliable outputs
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, working closely with engineering, operations and programme teams
• Manage resources and budgets, including laboratories, infrastructure and capital investment
• Build external partnerships, representing Tokamak Energy with collaborators, suppliers and the wider scientific community

What Makes This Role Unique

This isn’t a standard “Head of” role. You’ll be stepping into a highly capable but evolving function, where success depends on your ability to:

• Build trust and credibility with deeply technical experts
• Navigate complexity and ambiguity
• Lead cultural and organisational maturity
• Balance hands-on delivery oversight with long-term vision

We’re open to different profiles – whether you’re a diagnostics expert, systems/instrumentation leader, or come from an adjacent “big science” environment – as long as you bring the leadership, empathy, and practical experience to succeed.

Essentials

• Proven leadership experience managing complex technical teams, with strong emotional intelligence and the ability to lead through change

• Technical credibility in a relevant field (e.g. diagnostics, instrumentation, plasma physics, complex data systems or controls)

• Experience delivering large-scale, complex scientific or engineering programmes

• Background in high-safety, experimental or R&D environments, with hands-on understanding of real-world system integration

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline

Highly desirable

• Experience in fusion, plasma physics, or large-scale physics environments (e.g. tokamaks, particle accelerators, space instrumentation, etc.)

• Exposure to matrix organisations or multi-team delivery environments

• Experience balancing strategic leadership with operational problem-solving

• Understanding of technical assurance, safety, and compliance frameworks

• Salary range £80,000 to £100,000 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.