At DE&S, we are responsible for equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces with world-class technology, equipment, and services. As an Aeronautical Mechanical Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safety, performance, and reliability of cutting-edge aviation platforms that are vital to national defence.  

This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise in aeronautical engineering to deliver innovative solutions, manage complex projects, and work collaboratively with industry partners and stakeholders. You will be at the forefront of engineering excellence, contributing to the success of some of the most advanced defence programmes in the world.  

If you are passionate about engineering, thrive in a challenging environment, and want to make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Join DE&S and help us deliver the extraordinary.  

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.  

Please note that one of these roles will hold a safety delegation and will require the individual to on-call on a rotational basis.  

What you’ll be doing

• Own the generation of technical requirements, defining technical deliverables/artifacts and updating other documentation for systems, including the considerations to in-service support and associated costs.  
• Authorise technical data input and changes to support the management and maturity of engineering documentation, focusing on successful technical outcomes.  
• Educate others with relevant legislation, regulation, policy, processes, and standards to deliver technical documentation for a system. This includes the essential relation to quality, safety, security, and sustainability, of the system, and the interoperability with other sub-systems.  
• Identify and analyse technical hazards/project impacts and contribute to the identification and evaluation of risk reduction measures, ensuring that these are adequately documented and Managed.  
• Manage the design of a system, component or process that meets the customer requirement within realistic constraints of time, cost, and performance.  
• Collaborate and manage trade-offs with other sub-system teams and specialists, over technical requirements, and design compromises, to maximise successful system implementation and delivery.    
• Manage the system test, verification, validation, and evaluation process. Also manage the support and modification to an operational system.    
• Manage and participate in assurance, audit, and reviews activity and authorise recommendations in relation to your technical area of knowledge.  

Person specification

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

• Lead Essential Criteria - Demonstrate experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful Mechanical or Mechatronic outcomes; and    
• Have wide ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful Mechanical or Mechatronic outcomes; and   
• As a minimum be professionally registered as 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: Leadership – CSBC 3  
• Core Behaviour 2: Changing and Improving – CSBC 3  
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions – Practitioner  
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_02 Safety Management – Awareness  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,500 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.

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:

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

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment.

Things you need to know

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.

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 

Ready to join us as an Aeronautical Mechanical Engineer? Apply now!