Are you a Mechanical Engineer seeking your next role in a rewarding career? Apply now to join us at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as an Airborne Equipment Publications Manager.

As an Airborne Equipment Publications Manager, you’ll work on UK Military parachute systems, within the Airborne Equipment portfolio, providing accurate and detailed Document Sets containing precise information to ensure their suitability for the maintenance and support environments. You’ll manage  publications including technical documentation, procedural publications and a range of bespoke instructions. You will use your knowledge of the maintenance of UK Military parachute systems in both a technical and management role. Experience of the associated ancillary items used by parachutists as well as stores delivery parachute systems would be beneficial. You’ll deliver activity against Management Plans, including engagement with various stakeholders, to ensure document support to parachute systems remains fit for purpose.

You will work within Core, our largest area, which focusses on the acquisition and support equipment systems and within the Air Environment.

We operate within a matrix-managed organisation. As a Mechanical Engineer, you’ll be part of a dedicated Engineering Skills Group that aligns with your technical expertise. You’ll collaborate with fellow engineers in the Mechanical Engineering discipline, as well as professionals from other technical backgrounds. Together, you’ll contribute across various phases of the acquisition lifecycle and engage with different support and enabling entities.

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. You may be expected to travel to operational bases and/or manufacturers premises.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing publication distribution, receipting and acknowledgement of circulation and returns.
• Maintaining Engineering Work Instructions, incorporating tracked feedback, resolve cross referencing and preparing documents for controlled and timely release.
• Building and curating complete change packages ready for approval and publication.
• Managing the integrity and content hygiene of forms and Annex tables prior to Engineering Authority sign off.
• Maintaining traceability from problem report to released change and stakeholder acknowledgement.
• Enforcing publication control, configuration management and records retention so that safe, workable versions are in service.
• Ensuring all Maintenance Organisations and stake holders maintain latest versions of documentation.
• Supporting and when necessary, deputising for Airborne Equipment Delivery Team Engineering Desk Officers and the Airborne Forces Equipment Engineering Lead in progressing documentation actions to closure.
• Coordinating with various work communities and the Engineering Authority to align approvals, version control, and Operating Instructions.

Person specification

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

• Lead Essential Criteria – Experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful Mechanical or Mechatronic outcomes
• As a minimum hold either:

O A Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification RQF Level 6;

OR

O A Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4, together with a current  Engineering Technician (EngTech) professional registration (or higher level).

OR

O A Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 3, plus extensive relevant professional experience, together with a current Engineering Technician (EngTech) professional registration (or higher level).

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: Changing and Improving – CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_02 Safety Management – Awareness level
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions – Supervised Practitioner level

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 a Mechanical Engineer – Airborne Equipment Publications Manager? Apply now!