UK Ministry of Defence
Navy Command - Principal Safety Case Engineers
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HMNB Clyde, Faslane, G84 8HL
Job Summary
At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.
As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.
You'll be based at HMNB Clyde, home to the UK Submarine Service. It sustains the nation’s continuous at-sea deterrent and supports the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. As a centre of excellence for submarine operations, Clyde plays a critical role in national security and global stability
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
Ready to take your nuclear safety expertise to the next level and help protect one of the UK’s most critical defence programmes?
We’re looking for experienced Principal Safety Case Engineers to join us in HMNB Clyde, supporting both the Naval Nuclear Propulsion and the Nuclear Weapon Programmes. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the UK’s submarine operations, leading the development and assurance of safety cases that underpin safe, compliant, and effective delivery of the nation’s continuous at-sea deterrent.
You’ll operate within the Approving Authority, influencing key decisions, advising senior stakeholders, and ensuring robust nuclear safety standards across complex, high-hazard environments.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Act as an Approving Authority Subject Matter Expert, providing independent review, challenge, and approval of nuclear safety cases for reactor plant, nuclear weapons, and conventional ordnance munitions and explosives.
- Provide assurance of Site Safety Cases, including oversight of development, maintenance, and periodic review of supporting safety documentation.
- Ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, maintaining alignment with nuclear safety standards and current good practice.
- Provide expert technical advice to senior stakeholders, authorisation panels, and project teams on safety justification, commissioning activities, operational constraints, and regulatory compliance.
- Assess risks associated with design changes, defects, and deviations, ensuring risks are reduced As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) and that safety arguments remain robust.
- Contribute to safety governance and assurance processes, including participation in technical review groups and safety forums.
- Promote a strong safety culture, supporting continuous improvement in safety case quality, methodology, and organisational capability.
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following desirable criteria:
- Hold a Level 4 qualification (or higher) in an Engineering or Science discipline, or have the equivalent relevant experience.
- Chartered or Incorporated Member status with an appropriate professional institute, or be able to achieve within 12 months.
- Proven experience in managing and delivering complex safety justifications and safety cases.
- Understand safety standards, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements.
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Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Nuclear Competence Framework 1.2 – Nuclear Safety Management Systems – Level 2
- Nuclear Competence Framework 1.3 – Nuclear Safety Cases – Level 2
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
- Personal & professional development
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to a confidential, professional support service
- Discount schemes
- Bicycle / season-ticket loans
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)
- Assisted Travel Scheme
HMNB Clyde offers an impressive range of facilities set within one of the most picturesque regions of Scotland. With on‑site parking, a helpful internal bus service, and an assisted travel scheme, getting around is easy. Enjoy multiple cafés and convenience stores, an on‑site gym, and nursery provision. Extra touches such as a barbershop, access to worship spaces, and the Activities Hub offers a welcoming and supportive community feel.
In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.
You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
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The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.
At Sift, you’ll be assessed against the following;
- Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details.
- Candidates will be required to provide a personal statement. This should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.
At Interview, you’ll be assessed against the following;
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical:
- Nuclear Competence Framework 1.2 – Nuclear Safety Management Systems – Level 2
- Nuclear Competence Framework 1.3 – Nuclear Safety Cases – Level 2
Further Information:
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January
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