Job description for Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives Engineer

Are you ready to shape the future of defence by engineering the systems that keep our armed forces safe and effective? Join DE&S as an Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Engineer and work on some of the most advanced and mission-critical technologies in defence. From complex weapons and general munitions to pyrotechnics and rocket propulsion systems, you’ll be involved in every stage of the lifecycle.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your technical expertise in areas such as energetic materials, fuzing systems, and OME/platform integration, while collaborating with specialists across engineering, safety, logistics, and innovation. Whether you’re leading design reviews, managing risk, or mentoring junior engineers, your work will directly impact national security and the operational readiness of the UK’s armed forces – all within a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values your growth and development.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role. There will also be the opportunity for travel to other sites and contractor across the UK.

What you’ll be doing

• Define technical requirements and deliverables for OME systems, including documentation updates and through-life support considerations
• Identify and assess technical hazards and project risks, contributing to mitigation strategies and ensuring proper documentation
• Lead system design efforts to meet customer needs within time, cost, and performance constraints, including participation in design reviews
• Collaborate with sub-system teams to manage technical trade-offs and ensure effective system integration and delivery
• Take ownership of career development by engaging with mentors, maintaining professional memberships, and pursuing ongoing learning
• Stay current with modern engineering practices and technologies to support continuous improvement and innovation

Person specification

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

• Hold a Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4
• Have wide ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful OME engineering/science outcomes
• Demonstrate experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful OME engineering/science outcomes
• With a relevant Professional body/institution related to your discipline, be professionally registered as either; Registered Scientist (RSci) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng)

Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.

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

• Core Behaviour 1: Making effective decisions (CSBC 3)
• Core Behaviour 2: Leadership (CSBC 3)
• Technical Competence 1: Safety Management ECF 02: 2.3 Safety Issues and Risk – Awareness
• Technical Competence 2: Supportable Technical Solutions ECF 03: 3.4 Technical Decision Making- Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,200, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,094 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

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident:

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Conflicts of Interest:

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 that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

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 writingfor 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.

Please Note: Where interview scores are tied, the merit order will be determined using the following ranking of assessed behaviours and competencies:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 2
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

If interview scores remain tied, we reserve the right to conduct an additional assessment.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission