UK Ministry of Defence
SDA Naval Composite Structures Engineer
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MOD Abbey Wood, BRISTOL, BS34 8JH
Job Summary
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
The primary delivery location for this position is Bristol Abbey Wood.
Job Description
Are you an Engineer inspired to work on sophisticated, cutting-edge maritime platforms? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our Naval Authority Technology Group (NATG). Here, you’ll work at the forefront of engineering, science, and technology to solve unique technical challenges and contribute significantly to key defence platforms by collaborating with experts across defence.
The Successful Candidate Will Develop Into a Subject Matter Expert (SME) On Composite Naval Structures And Have Two Principle Roles In This Position:
- Naval Authority Reviewing Officer overseeing the implementation of Chapter 2A Ship Structures to HUNT and SANDOWN class Mine Counter Measure Vessels. This entails review and assessment of all structures related activity during upkeep and in-service for HUNT and SANDOWN classes to provide second party assurance that structure remains safe to operate.
- Provide programme leadership to the Composite Strategy that aims to develop and promote the use of composites in naval designs where appropriate. The strategy is a three year, £3.5m programme of work bringing together 30 organisations and the postholder will be responsible for providing co-ordination and direction to the community as well as providing programme oversight.
Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post. Successful candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before starting the role.
If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by the SDA Recruitment Team. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com
Person specification
For This Role We Are Seeking The Following:
- Demonstrable experience in naval or maritime structural engineering, including design, assessment and in-service support.
- Sound engineering judgement, particularly in safety-critical decision making.
- Ability to build consensus and align multiple stakeholders around a shared strategy
Essential Criteria
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration - or can be shown to be working towards.
- Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body.
- Relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience.
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Memberships
- Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Technical Decision Making (Practitioner)
- Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance (Practitioner)
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £47,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,789 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).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Discover My Benefits:
Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/
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.
At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;
Experience:
- Personal Statement - This should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role.
Behaviours
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical Competencies:
- Technical Decision Making (Practitioner)
- Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance (Practitioner)
At Interview, you will be assessed against the following;
Experience:
- Personal Statement/ Experience - The panel will ask questions about your personal statement. Exploring your Past Experiences, Key Achievements or Qualifications.
Behaviours:
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
Technical Competencies:
- Technical Decision Making (Practitioner)
- Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance (Practitioner)
Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours here and the Technical Skills Framework and Success Profile documents attached.
The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams
Additional Information
This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances.
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.
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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.
Requests to work flexibly and/or part time will be considered, taking into account business needs. Please note the salary will be pro-rata where part time hours are undertaken.
All employees joining Ministry of Defence who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
The post does NOT offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans - GOV.UK
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.
There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.
If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk
SDA Reward Offer - Working for SDA - Submarine Delivery Agency - GOV.UK
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure
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