Head of Manufacturing

Working arrangements

Please note this role does offer hybrid working, our model sets out a minimum 60% onsite / 40% home working split

Overview

This leadership role is critical in our journey from R&D-driven innovation to scalable magnet production. Our transition from R&D to production is still in its early stages and we know we will require significant development work before reaching production readiness for magnets.

This role will lead the establishment, validation, and refining of manufacturing processes for our HTS magnets. It will involve working closely with our HTS Magnet R&D team to iteratively develop production processes and lead the journey toward a reliable, scalable manufacturing model. Our manufacturing strategy must be adaptable, capable of handling one-off magnet builds initially, with potential for future continuous production as technology and customer trust evolve.

The Head of Manufacturing will play a key role in designing flexible processes that accommodate both custom and scalable production, ensuring we are prepared to meet market demand as it grows.

Requirements

Manufacturing Process Development and Validation

• Lead the design, establishment, and refinement of scalable manufacturing processes for HTS magnets, ensuring quality and reliability.
• Collaborate with the R&D team to transition innovations into production-ready processes, enabling a seamless shift from development to manufacturing.

Adaptability and Scalability of Production

• Develop flexible production methods capable of supporting custom one-off builds initially, with a roadmap for continuous production as product demand grows.
• Establish strategies to ensure scalability, accommodating increased production volumes and future product variations.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Implement and maintain rigorous quality control and testing protocols to meet performance standards and regulatory requirements as defined by our customers.
• Ensure processes adhere to industry standards, especially as products advance toward deployment in downstream applications.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Team Development

• Build and mentor a skilled manufacturing team, including process engineers, production technicians to support both custom and scalable production capabilities.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (R&D, Business Development, Product Management) to align manufacturing goals with product specifications and customer needs.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Drive continuous improvement and innovation initiatives within manufacturing, staying informed of advancements in HTS magnet production techniques and incorporating innovative practices to maintain competitive advantage.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimise waste

Requirements

• Appropriate experience and proven track record of manufacturing process development and production, supporting both one-off builds and the ability to scale-up, ideally within a start-up or a company that has taken a novel technology to market.
• Sound knowledge and experience in implementing and maintaining rigorous quality control and testing protocols aligned to regulatory standards and requirements.
• Great communication skills (both oral and written) with the ability to build and develop a strong network and effective relationships across the business, whilst also being able to report project status, issues and plans concisely and effectively in different forums.
• Proactive, energetic and delivery focused, able to support and motivate the team to progress with good problem-solving skills and an appreciation of a customer focused environment.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to deal with ambiguity
• A great organiser and planner with experience of resource and budget setting and management.
• A broad understanding of engineering design and/or software development processes is beneficial.
• Experience of deep tech hardware production and delivery is beneficial.

Benefits

• Salary dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset
• 28 days (inclusive of festive break) holiday plus bank holidays
• Eligible for discretionary performance related bonus
• Share options scheme
• Pension scheme
• Financial benefits – including; group life insurance, critical illness, health cash plan and discount scheme  
• Innovation and Merit bonuses
• Investment in training and development to support career progression
• Opportunity to work on and contribute to world class innovation

About Us

What if there was a limitless, safe, clean, low-cost energy source, providing much needed global energy security? What if that energy source could also help reduce climate change? We believe that’s fusion energy. Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford, UK. We have an unrivalled track record designing and operating spherical tokamaks; the optimal route to commercial fusion energy.

In addition to fusion energy, Tokamak Energy is recognised as the leader in High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnet, design, numerical modelling, and prototyping. Our dedicated HTS magnet team, in collaboration with key manufacturing partners, is focussed on becoming the leading supplier of HTS magnets to multiple markets.

The company, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK’s Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, currently employs a growing team of over 250 people with experts from the UK and around the world. It combines world leading scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities. The company has 70 families of patent applications and has raised $250 million, comprising $200m from private investors and $50m from the UK and US governments. Our US subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019.

Come and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team who are striving to provide a solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: clean and sustainable energy for all.

Important information

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation.

If you do not meet all the listed criteria for this position, we would still welcome your application.

Entry into employment with 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.