UK Ministry of Defence
Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) - Professional 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 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.
Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.
Job Description
The SDA has two great opportunities available. Candidates will apply and be interviewed for both roles in conjunction. If you have a preference for either role, please ensure you make this known at interview.
Role 1: Dreadnought Crew Training Engineer
The Training Team, part of the wider Submarine Support Team, have the specific responsibility for generating the Dreadnought Crew Training Solution for Royal Navy personnel, encompassing both Courseware and Media development and Equipment Procurement of associated Training Devices. HMS Dreadnought is the First of Class and is due to be ready for operations by December 2030. Three other submarines of this class are due after 2030.
The post holder will be responsible for managing the Training Design contracts, comprising of a bespoke First of Class Interim Training Solution and the generation of the Courseware and Media including equipment procurement for the Steady State Training Solution.
Role 2: VACAS Engineer
The Vanguard and Astute Class Availability & Sustainment programme (VACAS) is intended to direct, coordinate and oversee the implementation of Engineering activities required to achieve life extensions of Vanguard and Astute class Submarines until they are replaced. The successful applicant will be a specialist Engineering for this project working with Industrial Partners, Navy Command and reporting to the VACAS Engineering Manager. The project delivers into the in-service Design Authorities to embed the Engineering required to permit life extensions whilst demonstrating platforms remain safe, available, capable and sustainable. This role would suit an Engineer who wishes to grow their knowledge and experience of complex system integration projects.
The roles will report directly to our Lead Engineers. The post holders shall be required to undertake and support the management and delivery of all Engineering activity for their project(s). This shall include the generation of business cases, requirements documents, assurance and stakeholder engagement, setting up and assuring contract deliverables and overseeing technical risk to determine and support safety ALARP assessments.
The post holders shall produce weekly and monthly internal reports to assist with financial planning and technical governance.
Both roles are demanding, given the challenges that face the programmes, but each is deeply rewarding; it is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a high performing team within one of the premium defence programmes and is a once in a generation opportunity.
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The posts are reserved posts, open to UK nationals only.
Both roles may require occasional travel with overnight stays.
Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for these posts, but regular workplace attendance (60% in office) is necessary due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.
Person specification
To be successful in an application, candidates must demonstrate that they meet the following Essential Criteria:
- Ability to interpret and challenge data
- Have extensive experience of working with internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrate awareness of the bigger picture and its impact on the workforce
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong team working skills and a collaborative approach.
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or relevant professional registration
- Member of a relevant Professional Engineering body
- Relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience
- Experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes.
- Wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in own specialism with a broad understanding of the interdependencies between your work and related systems.
Qualifications
- Relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience.
Please answer 'yes' if equivalent experience.
Memberships
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or relevant professional registration or equivalent
- Member of a relevant Professional Engineering body
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- EFCF 3 Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance - Practitioner
- EFCF 4 Technical Decision Making - Practitioner
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.
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At Sift, applications 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. Candidates will be required to provide job history and qualification details.
Behaviours:
- Communicating & Influencing - CSBC3
- Leadership - CSBC3
- Changing & Improving - CSBC3
Technical Competencies:
- EFCF 3 Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance - Practitioner
- EFCF 4 Technical Decision Making - Practitioner
At Interview, candidates will be assessed against the following;
Personal Statement/ Experience - The panel will ask questions about your personal statement. Exploring your Past Experiences, Key Achievements or Qualifications.
Behaviours:
- Communicating & Influencing - CSBC3
- Leadership - CSBC3
Technical Competencies:
- EFCF 3 Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance - Practitioner
- EFCF 4 Technical Decision Making - 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
To be considered for this role, qualifications and/or memberships detailed must be held in full, prior to submitting your application.
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.
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.
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.
Please note the Civil Service Nationality Rules will also need to be met. The Civil Service Nationality
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