Job description for Workshop Operative

At Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), our purpose is to ensure our sailors, soldiers and aviators in the UK military have the life-saving, battle-winning capabilities to overcome adversaries and adversity, now and in the future. Join our team and your work will have real-world impact, supporting an organisation at the heart of national defence.

You will join our Military Equipment Tools Solutions (METS) team who provides crucial support to a variety of platforms within the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force. As part of the METS team, you will be responsible for producing toolkits used across all three services. This role is pivotal in ensuring that the armed forces are equipped with the best tools to maintain and operate their equipment effectively.

Your primary focus will be to assist in providing toolkits that meet defence standards, including those set by the Military Aviation Authority. You’ll be responsible for the precise etching and de-etching of tools using advanced laser and dot-matrix etching machines. Your keen eye for detail and dedication to safety and quality will ensure that every toolkit not only meets but exceeds the demands of the defence sector. By adhering to established processes, you’ll help uphold the highest standards, making a significant impact on our commitment to excellence.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required 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, interviews will be held in person at HMNB Portsmouth.

What you’ll be doing

• Cleaning foam inserts for tool kits
• Etching and de-etching of tools using a laser or dot-matrix etching machine
• Putting together tool kits whist following a production and quality assurance processes
• Using the routers and other workshop-based machines
• Ensuring the workshop is in a clean and safe condition by adhering to policy and risk assessments
• Operate mechanical handling equipment
• Loading, unloading, delivering, or collecting of tools and toolkits

Person specification

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

• Experience working with hand tools and/or a production line or a workshop environment

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

• Improve Engineering Capability – Awareness
• Technical Decision Making – Awareness
• Working together
• Seeing the bigger picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,200, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,169 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 28.97%
• 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

More information can be found below:

• DE&S Little Book of Big Benefits: https://bit.ly/3FEb54v
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.