Job description for Engineering Scientist

Are you an engineering scientist inspired to work on sophisticated, cutting-edge projects? 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, protect submariner health, and contribute significantly to our projects by collaborating with experts worldwide.

In this role, you will support the development and maintenance of requirements for submarine atmosphere control, including design, build, and in-service support. You’ll assist in developing and accepting submarine atmosphere control aspects to meet unique requirements and contribute to designing submarine control systems that meet Royal Navy standards. Your recommendations will be crucial for the atmosphere and toxicology requirements, you’ll provide analyses, technical advice, and help optimise decision-making in technical assurance of submarine projects.

You will offer expert advice to solve complex technical problems, identify application risks, and influence policies and processes. Evaluating problem spaces, collecting and analysing data, and delivering resolutions will be key parts of your role. You’ll support the implementation of these recommendations to achieve predicted benefits, and provide scientific advice to stakeholders, identifying technology risks and informing mitigation strategies.

In the SDA, continuous professional development is actively encouraged. You will have access to defined upskilling policies, routes to chartership and support to prosper. We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Nationality, visas and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage the delivery of all submarine atmosphere control aspects in area of responsibility including managing the acquisition safety aspects
• Conducting or sponsoring research to underpin development of ideas for new solutions for specific situations
• Sharing knowledge and experience across functional and organisational boundaries and maintain relationships with industry leading experts to ensure the SDA is at the forefront of emerging technological trends
• Exploiting opportunities and options for future technical solutions to enhance Defence capability
• Monitoring and implementing governance and assurance policies and procedures to ensure the ‘safe & professional’ status in submarine atmosphere control
• Lead on the development of requirements in submarine atmosphere control including acceptance plans, performance criteria and draft specifications
• Provide technical leadership, governance, assurance and expert advice on complex issues supporting projects. Ensuring proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited
• Interface with industry as the intelligent customer both in a scrutiny role and supporting the identification of application risks

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Extensive experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful atmosphere toxicology outcomes
• Wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in atmospheric control with knowledge and application of engineering approaches
• Chartered or Incorporated Scientist or be able to achieve within 9 months

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Technical Decision Making – Practitioner
• Technical Risk Management – Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,659 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/SDA-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order – 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.