UK Ministry of Defence
Navy Command - Wear Debris Section Analyst (Aerosystems Engineer/Scientist)
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Portsmouth
Job Summary
Do you have a background in science and/or engineering? Could you bring your technical expertise to our diverse team, supporting the UK military air safety? If so, 1710 Naval Air Squadron wants to hear from you.
Within Navy Command, we support and sustain the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm across every theatre of operations. Based in Portsmouth Naval Base, with a heritage dating back to the 1930s, 1710 Naval Air Squadron is a mixed Civil Service and Military team of technical specialists from multidisciplinary backgrounds, using scientific and engineering reasoning to overcome UK MOD aircraft operational issues.
As part of our Condition Monitoring Department, the Wear Debris Section ensure the safe operation of helicopter and fixed wing aircraft. Analysis of Wear Debris can identify early signs of failure in engines and gearboxes, improving air safety and preserving aircraft to help sustain UK air capability.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
In this exciting and vital role, you will acquire and develop the expertise to enable you to analyse, interpret and present Wear Debris analysis evidence to both aircraft operators and manufacturers. This will result in the ability to provide airworthiness recommendations for a range of aircraft, both in the UK and around the globe.
As part of the mixed Civil Service and military team of scientists and engineers, you will primarily provide expert specialist support to monitor aircraft engine and gearbox wear processes. This is achieved using a multitude of specialist equipment including scanning electron microscopes and x-ray fluorescence instruments within a laboratory / office hybrid setting.
Additionally, there will be opportunities to explore and exploit other health condition monitoring approaches including novel data analysis approaches. Your expertise will enable you to collaborate with wider condition monitoring partners, both national and international, assuring the provision of expert scientific and engineering advice and risk-based judgements to the Military Air Commands.
The role also offers variety beyond the office, with occasional travel to UK locations and opportunities to attend conferences and visit external partners, and occasional necessary travel to satellite locations with the UK. These experiences can support your continuing professional development, broaden your professional network and help you build valuable leadership, auditing and stakeholder-management skills.
As a key partner in NATO and other strategic alliances, the UK maintains a global military presence to provide security and humanitarian aid. As a Condition Monitoring Specialist, you may occasionally be called upon to work out of hours in the laboratory to support these crucial operations.
Responsibilities
As a Condition Monitoring Specialist within our team, you will be responsible for:
- Analysing Aircraft Transmission and Engine wear debris samples.
- Interpreting sample data and providing airworthiness advice to Delivery Teams and Aircraft Operators.
- Operating and maintaining scientific equipment.
- Generating fault reports for repair and overhaul organisations.
- Reviewing repair and overhaul organisations investigation reports to confirm accurate fault detection.
- Data trending and analysis of fleet data sets.
- Liaising with MOD Delivery Teams and Aircraft operators to ensure best practice and effective monitoring programs are upheld.
- Keeping meticulous records of samples to build trends for future analysis.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Degree/HNC/D or equivalent relevant experience in science, engineering or aircraft maintenance.
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Desirable Criteria
- Critical thinking in a scientific or engineering context.
- Relevant technical knowledge of systems health monitoring.
- Relevant experience of data analysis
- An enthusiastic, adaptable and inquisitive approach towards new challenges.
- Ability to work within a small team, while taking on individual projects.
- Previous experience or familiarity with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy
- A UK driving license would be an advantage.
Qualifications
- Degree/HNC/D or equivalent relevant experience in science, engineering or aircraft maintenance.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Building and Applying Knowledge
Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 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).
We'll Provide a Great Range Of Benefits Including:
- 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 including working towards Chartership and accreditation support.
- 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)"Excellent learning and development
- Onsite gym
- Flexible working
- Onsite parking
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.
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.
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.
Our Ethos:
We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. There is a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for individuals with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
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.
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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/.
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.
Assessment Criteria
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Technical Skills. Please refer to the Navy Command Applicants Guide attached for further details.
Applications will be assessed following the closing date and if successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to interview.
At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;
- Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history, qualification details and previous skills and experience.
- Candidates will be asked to provide a personal statement that sets out how you would apply your skills and experience to meet the essential requirements for the role. (500
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