Scientific Facilities Operations Manager

Scientific Facilities Operations Manager — Astral Systems Ltd

Astral Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of Nuclear Fusion and Neutron Source technology. Our mission is to create groundbreaking solutions that revolutionise industries and improve everyday life, particularly in medical, space, and nuclear fusion applications. We are dedicated to addressing global health and energy challenges by providing cutting-edge systems that enhance access to medical isotopes and accelerate fusion research.

Role Summary

Astral Systems is seeking a highly capable and experienced Scientific Facilities Operations Manager to take operational ownership of our growing network of scientific facilities, including our neutron irradiation laboratories. Reporting to the Director of Projects and Operations, this role is responsible for ensuring that Astral’s irradiation facilities are compliant, safe, highly available, and optimised to support both internal scientific programmes and external commercial irradiation services.

You will work in close partnership with Lab Managers, senior operators, and the Business/Facility Administrator who together deliver the day‑to‑day operation of each facility. You will act as line manager for key personnel across multiple sites, ensuring teams are resourced, trained, aligned, and supported to deliver scheduled irradiation and laboratory activities effectively.

This role is central to building, implementing, and continually improving the operational processes, regulatory frameworks, and readiness plans needed to run a multi‑site scientific facility network. As Astral expands across the UK and internationally, you will lead the operational stand‑up of new facilities, tailoring procedures to local regulatory requirements and ensuring seamless handover from construction and installation teams to operational teams.

You will collaborate closely with internal science, engineering, project, installation, and facility build teams, balancing internal research programmes with external irradiation demand to maximise utilisation and service reliability.

We seek experienced candidates inspired and motivated by our vision to realise the many benefits of fusion technologies today.

Key Responsibilities

Facility Operations & Leadership

Lead the operational management of Astral’s neutron irradiation and scientific facilities across multiple UK sites.

Line‑manage Lab Managers, senior operators, and the Business/Facility Administrator.

Ensure on‑the‑ground operational teams are trained, supported, and ready to deliver scheduled irradiation and laboratory work.

Maintain oversight of facility readiness, availability, utilisation, and day‑to‑day operational performance.

Process, Standards & Compliance

Develop and maintain operational processes, SOPs, and standards across all facilities.

Define regulatory, safety, compliance, and quality frameworks for irradiation operations and scientific laboratories.

Adapt regulatory frameworks and processes for new geographical regions as additional facilities come online.

Ensure full compliance with applicable national and international regulations.

Facility Expansion & Operational Readiness

Lead the operational stand‑up of new facilities, including recruitment, training, documentation, regulatory preparation, and commissioning.

Work closely with the Installation Project Manager to ensure equipment, test devices, and irradiation systems are installed, commissioned, and fit‑for‑purpose.

Collaborate with the Facilities Project Manager to ensure operational conditions are met before facility handover.

Travel to new and existing sites as required to validate readiness and support operational teams.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Irradiations Project Coordinator to align facility capability with commercial opportunities.

Research Project Coordinator to ensure internal R&D programmes are supported.

Science & Engineering Teams to support experimental needs and programme delivery.

Lab Managers & Operators to ensure smooth daily operations.

Business/Facility Administrator to ensure documentation, compliance, and operational administration are maintained.

Installation & Facilities Project Managers during site build and commissioning.

Service Delivery & Utilisation

Operate facilities as a service used by internal teams and external partners.

Ensure effective scheduling, prioritisation, and throughput of irradiation and laboratory activity.

Optimise utilisation of labs, test devices, and irradiation systems.

Resolve conflicts between internal research needs and external irradiation demand.

Budget & Resource Management

Manage operational budgets for facility maintenance, resources, and staffing.

Forecast expenditures, manage supply chains, and ensure cost‑effective operations.

Work with the Business/Facility Administrator to track costs and maintain operational records.

Continuous Improvement

Analyse facility performance data to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

Lead initiatives to improve operational reliability, capacity, and user experience.

Maintain awareness of industry best practices, regulatory updates, and emerging technologies.

Qualifications & Skills

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Scientific Operations, or a related technical field.

Significant experience (5+ years) in operations leadership within scientific, technical, testing, or R&D environments.

Strong working knowledge of compliance, safety, and quality systems.

Line‑management experience, ideally leading Lab Managers, senior operators, or technical staff.

Experience developing and implementing operational processes and SOPs.

Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.

Ability to travel extensively across UK sites (and internationally as required).

Strong resource planning and operational scheduling capabilities.

Desirable

Experience in irradiation, accelerator, or nuclear‑related facilities.

Proven experience managing multi‑site operations or complex technical facilities.

Experience commissioning new facilities or standing up operational capability from scratch.

Familiarity with scientific scheduling tools, LIMS, or technical operational software.

Experience in a startup, scale‑up, or fast‑growing technical environment.

Why Astral Systems?

Working for Astral Systems provides many benefits, including:

Competitive salary and benefits package.

Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Flexible working arrangements and a supportive team culture.

The chance to contribute to pioneering advancements in fusion and medical technology.

Pension matching.

Private health insurance.

Working Arrangements

This is a remote role, with office working required regularly in the UK offices at Boscombe Business Park and Berkeley Science Park. The role will also involve travel to new facilities within the UK and Internationally, reporting to the Director of Projects & Operations.

Salary Range

Salary guideline range of £50,000 - £60,000, negotiable depending on experience and background.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a CV/resume detailing your qualifications and experiences.

Thank you for considering a career at Astral Systems. We look forward to receiving your application!

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