Plasma Control Team Lead

Working arrangements

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

Overview  

As Tokamak Energy continues to evolve, the way we work and structure our business needs to align to our strategy and business priorities. Following our exciting $52 million upgrade programme for our ST40 spherical tokamak in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and our goal to ensure we can deliver and innovate at pace, and adapt to change, we have an exciting new opportunity to lead plasma control and dedicated team set within the Diagnostics, Data and Control Department.

The Plasma Control Team plays a critical role in delivering key programmes and projects of strategic importance to Tokamak Energy. Led by the Team Lead, the team is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of the Plasma Control System and related tools for Tokamak Energy’s flagship tokamak, ST40. In addition, the team is tasked with developing advanced plasma control solutions for both current and future fusion devices. Their activities extend to control-oriented modelling, scenario modelling, and the development of experimental scenarios, all aimed at advancing the capabilities of Tokamak Energy’s plasma control systems. Reporting to the Diagnostics, Data and Control Department Head, your responsibilities will encompass technical leadership for plasma control and plasma operations in addition to the safety, well-being, growth, and performance of your team. In understanding and developing your team members’ capacity and capabilities, you will be crucial in the allocation of resources to enable safe, effective and timely project delivery.

Requirements

In this role, you will

• As a subject matter expert, provide technical leadership and expertise in tokamak plasma control systems to support existing programmes, including ST40 and the Fusion Pilot Plant programme, in addition to identifying and securing new opportunities.
• Use existing networks to develop and leverage external relationships, creating impactful opportunities in plasma control and related fields.
• Define and execute the technical strategy aligned to plasma control, to include the long-term development of plasma control systems, related diagnostics, and modelling tools, in collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop a plasma control ecosystem, to innovate beyond Tokamak Energy’s current capabilities and areas of influence to create commercially relevant opportunities.
• Lead the delivery of high-quality software across the Plasma Control team’s various current and future projects.
• Be responsible for the safety, well-being, growth and performance of all Plasma Control team members.
• Effectively manage resource allocation according to agreed priorities to support project requirements (with input from project leads)
• Be responsible for the development of team skills, capabilities and tools to support the business strategy (with input from technical specialists)
• Be an escalation point and support for people and team on working related issues (working closely with the Diagnostics, Data and Control Department Head and other stakeholders as required)
• Have the responsibility of environment, health and safety leadership for the team and area owner for owned labs.

Requirements and attributes we value

• Proven expertise in tokamak plasma control systems, or a closely related field, with a deep understanding of the underlying principles, technologies, and challenges.
• Extensive experience in designing, installing, commissioning, and operating scientific software within a tokamak environment or a closely related field, ensuring robust functionality and integration with complex systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong networks within the plasma control, tokamak, and fusion research sectors, using these relationships to drive previous successful collaborations, identify emerging opportunities, and stay ahead of developments in the field.
• Proven ability to influence key decision-makers and stakeholders, shaping strategic direction and driving initiatives forward through effective communication, persuasion, and alignment with organizational goals. • Proven track record in successfully delivering complex projects, from inception through to completion, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, effective resource management, and timely execution.
• Demonstrable experience in applying software development best practices.
• Outstanding problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to effectively manage a multi-disciplinary team.
• A good understanding of the resources, tools and techniques available to aide good people management, including managing performance and development through effective 1:1 conversation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and motivate a team, ensuring team members live and breathe Tokamak Energy’s values of creativity, agility, safety, collaboration and respect.
• Delivery focused with ability to understand the needs of the customer to effectively prioritise, organise, allocate and integrate the resources of the team in support of this.
• Qualified to at least degree level or equivalent within a relevant technical discipline.
• Fluency in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience in developing and operating real-time systems.
• An understanding of tokamaks and plasma control.
• Track record of scientific publications.
• Commercially savvy (IP, commercial drivers, competitor intelligence, etc.).
  

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

Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties

This job includes the following hazards or safety-critical activities which will require successful pre-employment health screening through our occupational health service before the successful candidate will be allowed to start work:

• Work in hot or cold environments
• Driving on Company business
• Work with cryogenic fluids including liquid nitrogen
• Working with or in the vicinity of equipment that produces high magnetic fields
• Working with materials that are managed under the control of substances hazardous to health regulations (COSHH)
• Operating heavy equipment including forklifts / overhead gantry cranes
• Travel outside of Europe or North America on company business

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.