Construction/Manufacturing Quality Lead

Job description

Originally named, Great British Nuclear, Great British Energy - Nuclear is an arm's length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK's energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy - Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future.

Great British Energy - Nuclear's first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in 2023. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory based modular manufacturing and more flexible deployment options. In June 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear announced that Rolls-Royce SMR had been selected as the preferred bidder to build the UK's first SMRs, following a technology selection process that began in 2023.

Great British Energy - Nuclear is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace.

The Construction/Manufacturing Lead plays a vital role in leading the development of construction and manufacturing quality assurance and control approach for GBE-N as the developer of a small modular reactor (SMR) power station.

You will work closely with Project Teams, supply chain partners and internal functions and teams to ensure that the quality programme and strategy are embedded effectively. This role will develop and manage the construction and manufacturing quality activities and quality control interventions, it will be the main interface with the main Quality team interface with the Delivery Partner, Supply Chain and Independent Third Party Inspection Authority (ITPIA). Your work will directly contribute to improving safety, performance, and reliability across the SMR programme.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate quality arrangements for construction and manufacturing activities, ensuring works are planned, executed, and verified in accordance with approved Quality Plans, Project Teams, standards, and contractual requirements. 
• Act as the Client Quality lead for all construction and manufacturing activities for GBE-N.
• Provide on the ground quality leadership across sites and factories, working closely with construction managers, manufacturing teams, and delivery partners to embed right first time quality into daily activities. 
• Oversee inspection, testing, and hold point activities, ensuring appropriate witness, verification, and acceptance of construction and manufactured outputs, with full traceability and lifetime records.  
• Manage construction and manufacturing non conformance, including containment, investigation, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and interface with engineering and safety case authorities where required. 
• Monitor quality performance and drive continual improvement, using site and factory data, trends, and lessons learned to improve workmanship, processes, and quality culture across delivery organisations. 
• Provide senior technical leadership for inspection and quality control activities, ensuring construction and manufacturing outputs comply with drawings, specifications, codes, standards, and approved Quality Plans and Project Teams.
• Lead on the development of the Life Time Records strategy for the project and development of the relevant processes and formats.
• Work in conjunction with the other elements of the Quality lead team to develop digital tools and techniques for surveillance, measurement and quality control checking.
• Lead and manage the Construction/Manufacturing Quality team within GBE-N accountable for their performance and the team development.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:
Essential

• Demonstrable experience of developing a Quality Control programme within a Nuclear new build environment. Including the development of test plans for factory and site acceptance testing.
• Strong Knowledge and experience of applying the requirements of nuclear codes and standards to the inspection of works and equipment, knowledge of ASME NQA1 in particular.
• Proven experience in Construction Quality and leading teams during inspection and testing activities.
• Knowledge and experience in material testing relevant to Nuclear Construction.
• Proven experience of leading investigations into quality problems and non-conformance.
• Demonstrable experience of developing continuous improvement strategies and plans.
• Proven experience of developing and implementing reporting systems and quality metrics.
• Experience of managing Counterfeit Fraudulent and Suspect Item programmes and developing prevention programmes.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Nuclear Site Licencing process and licence conditions.
• Practical experience in quality management in a relevant business environment.
• Experience of building a quality management framework & KPI measurement.

Qualifications

• Degree in Appropriate Engineering or Science Subject.
• Qualifications in Quality Management, Diploma or MSc in Quality Management (Desirable)
• Lead Auditor certification to ISO 9001 and preferably 14001 and/or 45001/ISO19443
• Member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI)

Please note, this role may require candidates to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of National Security Vetting.

We recognise that candidates may not meet every requirement listed. If your experience is not an exact match but you believe you have the skills, knowledge and potential to succeed in the role, we encourage you to apply.

Please complete our short application form to apply for this role. If shortlisted, one of our Talent Attraction Leads will be in touch to discuss the position in more detail. Good luck with your application!

At GBE-N, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. If you require any support or adjustments to help you with your application, please contact us at , and we will be happy to provide assistance.