Job description for Engineering Manager

Are you an engineering manager looking to develop your skills and become a vital part of UK defence? In joining us, you will integrate with highly skilled professionals to support some of the largest and most complex engineering programmes in the world. You will work at the forefront of marine technology to oversee engineering challenges unique to this industry, whilst contributing to project success and providing support to the Royal Navy.

Our opportunities will suit engineering managers with experience and/or qualifications in several disciplines (e.g., mechanical, electrical, systems, electronic, naval architecture, software and marine engineering). Based on your skills, experience, and strengths you will be allocated to a role with defined progression routes and opportunities to learn and develop as a professional. Training is readily available to stay up to date with emerging technologies and you will be working in an environment that encourages development of you and of your responsibilities.

There will be opportunities to visit the shipyards, dockyards, suppliers’ sites and submarines. You will be inducted into a fair and ethical environment, promoting personal development and career progression that will enrich your future and your career in engineering.

At the SDA, 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.

Please note that some of the positions available will require successful applicants to be able to pass Developed Vetting clearance once in the post.

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 engineering aspects in area of responsibility as defined in the assignment specification or objectives
• Provide expert advice and guidance in own technical area to solve complex technical problems and identify application risks
• Manage the technical requirements for the acquisition lifecycle stage of one or more project, programme, service or system
• Monitor and implement any governance and assurance policies and procedures to ensure the ‘safe and professional’ status of the area
• Lead on the development of requirements related to own area of specialism including acceptance plans, performance criteria and draft specifications
• 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:

• Relevant Level 4 (HNC 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 knowledge and application of engineering approaches
• Hold professional registration at Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status or higher, or demonstrate suitable equivalent experience to achieve this 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 Requirements, Evaluation and Acceptance – Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,210 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.