At DE&S, we are at the cutting edge of delivering advanced technology and equipment to support the UK’s Armed Forces. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in the design, development, integration, and support of electronic systems and sensor technologies that are critical to defence operations.  

As an Electronic Systems and Sensors Engineer, you will provide expert technical advice, solve complex engineering challenges, and work collaboratively with industry partners and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of world-class capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to work on high-profile projects, develop innovative solutions, and make a tangible impact on national security.  

If you are passionate about engineering, thrive on solving complex problems, and want to contribute to the success of the UK’s defence capabilities, we want to hear from you. Join DE&S and be part of a team that delivers cutting-edge technology to protect our nation.  

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 and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Stakeholder Management – Collaborate and accommodate trade-offs with other sub-system teams and specialists, over ESS requirements, and design compromises, to maximise successful system implementation and delivery.   
• Legislation/Policy – Working in a highly regulated area, differentiate and comply with relevant legislation, regulation, policy, processes, and standards to deliver technical documentation for a sub-system. This includes the essential relation to quality, safety, security, and sustainability, of the sub-system, and the interoperability with other sub-systems.   
• Technical Data – Verify and recommend the use of technical data to support the management and maturity of engineering documentation, focusing on successful technical outcomes.   
• Support – Manage the support and modification to an operational sub-system.   
• Assurance – Support technical assurance activities within the limit of your technical discipline.   
• Technical Discipline - Submit recommendations in relation to your technical area of knowledge.   
• Requirements – Manage the generation of ESS requirements, defining technical deliverables/artifacts and updating other documentation for sub-systems, including the considerations to in-service support and associated costs.   
• Legislation/Policy – Working in a highly regulated area, differentiate and comply with relevant legislation, regulation, policy, processes, Military Aviation Authority (MAA) and standards to deliver technical documentation for a sub-system. This includes the essential relation to quality, safety, security, and sustainability, of the sub-system, and the interoperability with other sub-systems and Contribution Risk to Life (ECRtL)

Person specification

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

• Lead Criterion – Have experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful ESS or mechatronic engineering outcomes; and   
• Have technical ESS or mechatronic experience in in a variety of contexts; and  
• As a minimum hold either:   
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 6;   
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4, plus  
• with a Professional body/institution related to your discipline hold current professional registration at the level of EngTech or equivalent;  
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 3, plus a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience;   
• With a Professional body/institution related to your discipline, hold current professional registration at the level of EngTech or equivalent, plus a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience.  

Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland only), are the Scottish SCQF; or an international equivalent qualification, which must be supported 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 – Delivering at Pace (CSBC 3)  
• Technical Competence 1 - ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Supervised Practitioner   
• Technical Competence 2 - ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions - Supervised Practitioner  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,892 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 Electronic Systems and Sensors Engineer? Apply now!