Job description for Engineer

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

In this role, you’ll blend technological problem-solving and management abilities to oversee projects. Your technical knowledge and skills will be pivotal in submarine projects, where you’ll provide in-depth analyses, technical advice, and optimise decision-making in submarine technical assurance.

You’ll be welcomed into a fair and ethical environment that champions personal growth and career development, setting the stage for a fulfilling future in engineering. With ample training opportunities to keep you abreast of emerging technologies, you’ll thrive in an environment that fosters both your professional development and the expansion of your responsibilities.

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) 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.

Nationality, visas and vetting: 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’ve 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide advice and guidance to solve complex technical problems
• Manage engineering technical requirements including acceptance plans, performance criteria and draft specifications
• Provide advice to stakeholders to influence policies and processes, identifying technology risks and informing strategies for mitigating them
• Produce and contribute to engineering management plans

Person specification

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

• Hold a relevant HNC (i.e. Level 4 or higher) qualification in a relevant subject OR have equivalent relevant experience

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

• Improve Engineering Capability – Supervised Practitioner
• Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance – Supervised Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,100, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,747 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 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

• 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.