Navy Command - Small Arms Weapons Maintainer

HMNB Devonport, PL2 2BG

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 Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The primary role of the HMS DRAKE Small Arms Weapons Maintainer (SAWM) is to maintain HMS DRAKE’s weapons and Ministry of Defence Automated Control System (MODACS) in accordance with the regulations and guidelines contained in Land Equipment User Maintenance Standards (LEUMS) and AESP1000-A-003-103 - Policy, Procedure and General Principles for Armourers. They are to manage the armoury efficiently and provide effective Small Arms Maintenance (SAM) support to HMS DRAKE and visiting Ships/Units as required. They will keep updated with the latest Joint Asset management and engineering solutions (JAMES) training to manage the unit’s weapons and MODACS on JAMES.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Management of the Armoury and its workshop.
• The safe custody of all weapons & Attractive to Criminals and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO) items whilst they are held in the Establishment Armoury.
• Maintain and repair Weapons, optics, ACTO items and equipment for which they have been trained, in line with BR(d)300.
• Carry out mandatory equipment inspections (MEIs) at the designated intervals on all weapons, ACTO items and equipment held throughout HMS DRAKE whilst managing and updating the relevant information on JAMES.
• Maintain all documentation associated with HMS DRAKE weapons, optics ACTO items and equipment.
• Maintain the Theatre Military Equipment (TME), tools and equipment in their workshop to the required standards, advising the Chain of Command (CoC) when mandatory legislative checks are due.
• Maintain HMS DRAKE Armoury calibration register.
• Maintain weapons fault and cleaning registers.
• Ensure weapons and optics cleaning programmes are implemented at appropriate intervals, recorded and that lodger units loaning equipment manage it effectively.
• To be fully conversant with Health, Safety and Environment legislation. Further guidance can be found in Drake Standing Orders.
• Record Equipment Custodian (EC) risk on the Base EC Risk Register and elevate concerns to the CoC, attending periodic EC meetings as required as a small arms subject matter expert.
• The current post holder also provides support to the Nuclear Emergency Arrangements as part of the Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) in a duty roster as agreed with my Line Manager. This will not automatically be part of the TORs for the next postholder without agreement from the Emergency Planning and Response Group.