Job description for Engineer

Are you an Engineer looking to develop your skills and become a vital part of UK Defence? In joining us, you will integrate with highly skilled professionals to support some of the largest and most complex engineering programmes in the world. You will work at the forefront of marine technology to oversee engineering challenges unique to this industry, whilst contributing to project success and providing support to the Royal Navy.

Our opportunities will suit Engineers with experience and/or qualifications in several disciplines (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Electronic, Naval Architecture, Software and Marine Engineering). Based on your skills, experience, and strengths you will be allocated to a role with defined progression routes and opportunities to learn and develop as a professional. Training is readily available to stay up to date with emerging technologies and you will be working in an environment that encourages development of you and of your responsibilities.

There will be opportunities to visit the shipyards, dockyards, suppliers’ sites and submarines. You will be inducted into a fair and ethical environment, promoting personal development and career progression that will enrich your future and your career in engineering.

This post may be eligible for the NSQEP Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £4000 per annum. This allowance is discretionary and will be dependent on a candidate’s ability to successfully demonstrate the necessary competency, qualifications, and experience to an independent panel of Subject Matter Experts.

For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

At the SDA, 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.

Whilst on the Abbey Wood site in Bristol, you’ll experience our impressive range of on-site facilities including a restaurant and coffee bistros and free parking. Our sports facilities include a fully equipped gym and sports hall with bookable classes, as well as a squash court, tennis courts and a football pitch.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage engineering technical requirements, ensuring requirements placed on our suppliers meet the Royal Navy’s needs and that these are delivered
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of system requirements
• Participate in identification, selection, evaluation, performance verification and demonstrations within your technical area
• Produce and contribute to Engineering Management Plans
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert and provide specialist advice in your technical field of expertise to support the delivery of submarines

Person specification

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

• Hold a HNC (i.e., Level 4 or higher) qualification in a relevant engineering or science discipline or be able to demonstrate the equivalent experience
• Professionally Registered status or has demonstrated equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
• Experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful engineering outcomes
• Technical experience in your discipline or specialist area in a variety of contexts

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

• Technical Decision Making – Supervised Practitioner
• Technical Requirements, Evaluation and Acceptance – Supervised Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC 3
• Seeing the Bigger Picture – CSBC 3

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,100, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,747 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 27%
• 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

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/SDA-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. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order – 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.