Job description for Subsea Survey Manager

Ready to dive into a career like no other? If you’re driven by innovation, thrive in high-stake environments, and inspired by the idea of working with cutting-edge subsea technology, then this is your moment. The Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) unit is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled SALMO Subsea Survey Manager to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery.

SALMO operate a fleet of cutting edge, commercially available AUVs and ROVs to conduct deepwater survey operations. As Subsea Survey Manager you will join a dynamic and enthusiastic team to deliver the survey aspects of the capability. You will be deployed afloat for circa 10 – 12 weeks per year, for both scheduled and unplanned surveys, to manage the collection and analysis of a range of subsea survey data types. You will use your experience with common survey software packages to plan, prepare, and conduct both the overarching survey and individual missions, while reviewing and assuring the collected data to maintain the highest standards.

Whilst ashore, you will support the wider operational preparation by maintaining the readiness and availability of the survey equipment and software through regular servicing, fault finding and maintenance. You will support liaison with capability customers to develop schedules and plans for the survey season as well as regular communication with a variety of original equipment manufacturers. You will remain abreast of current and emerging technologies relevant to the capability and use your expertise and experience to support and advise both survey planning, operations and related tasks within SALMO and wider defence.

Why join SALMO? SALMO is the MOD’s centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it’s locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital.

You will be combining office-based engineering responsibilities with hands-on operational work at sea. In the office, you will collaborate closely with project and operational managers on activities such as procuring new systems, developing technical requirements, and producing engineering management plans and supporting documentation. At sea, you will take on the role of survey manager.

What’s in it for you? This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.

The position is ideal for an experienced AUV or ROV technician or engineer seeking a more varied role in a stable environment, or for a hands-on project engineer looking for a new and exciting challenge.

What you’ll be doing

• As a Subsea Survey Manager, you will have a range of responsibilities both afloat and ashore.
• Whilst deployed you will lead the survey elements of the team in conducting operations, providing guidance and support to the surveyors and be responsible for the availability and readiness of the AUV/ROV survey equipment, data collection and subsequent review.
• You will be required to lead fault finding tasks, assure the survey planning, data quality control and analysis and ensure that captured data is appropriately stored, managed and transported.
• On your return ashore you will be required to ensure that collected data is delivered to the shoreside analysis team and provide them with any support and survey updates required to inform subsequent data analysis.
• You may be asked to assist with post deployment debriefing to customers and development of survey reports.
• You will provide survey input in support of future mission planning, assurance and implementation of processes and procedures, as well as be the technical point of contact for the development and maintenance of the survey equipment and requirements.

Person specification

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

• Have experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes in small scale task and projects; and

• Have a wide-ranging and relevant technical experience in subsea activities or marine operations; and

• Experience managing marine operations with evidence of technical problem-solving and risk management; and

Hold (as minimum) either:

• STCW 1 Chief Mate (Unlimited) or STCW 1 Second Engineer (Unlimited); or
• IMCA accredited certification as an advanced ROV or AUV Pilot/Technician Grade I or a Survey Engineer Grade I, or a recognised company equivalent, with at least 180 days of documented offshore experience and a minimum of 100 hours operating an ROV or AUV at Grade II level. All experience must be verifiable through a logbook; or
• Be professionally registered with a Professional body/institution related to your discipline, as either:

o Incorporated Engineer (IEng); or

o Registered Scientist (RSci); or

o Incorporated Marine Engineer (IMarEng); or

o Registered Marine Technician (RMarTech); or

o Registered Marine Scientist (RMarSci).

And:

• Be a Sole UK National; and
• Full UK Driving Licence; and
• Be able to satisfy requirements of:
• 2-Yearly ENG1 Seafarers Medical 2., and
• Be enlisted as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve 2.

STCW = International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions.

For SALMO Retained Grade seeking promotion, please refer to Part 2, Section 10.2 of the SALMO Retained Grade Handbook.

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: ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions – Practitioner level
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Supervised Practitioner level

 Offered Benefits

• Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days’ annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES_Candidate-Information-Pack
• SALMO Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/SALMO-Terms-and-Conditions

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.’

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 (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

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 1
• 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

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