SDA Lead Engineer
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 21st October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence.
Here you’ll find a community to belong to – whether that’s alongside project teams with a shared vision or as part of an employee network of like-minded individuals. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
Discover more about our work:
We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 27%, to help make work work for you.
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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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.
Job description
Are you inspired by advanced, complex and high-volume engineering programmes, with an aspiration to work on some of the world’s largest and most complex engineering programmes? If so, we are seeking expert Lead Engineers to help deliver safe, capable, and available submarines for operation by the Royal Navy and other vital services ensuring adherence to quality standards.
With opportunities for Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and/or Marine Engineering biased individuals, you could be working across multiple project teams, providing comprehensive exposure to various aspects of our engineering programs. This dynamic environment will enable you to broaden your expertise and contribute to diverse projects. Depending on your skillset, you may be allocated to one of the following design teams:
- In Service Submarines (ISM) are tasked with ensuring cost-effective, capable, and safe submarines through continuous improvement and a whole-life systems approach, supporting vessels like the Astute-class and Trafalgar-class submarines
- The Dreadnought Alliance (DNA) oversees the Dreadnought Programme, replacing Vanguard platforms with new submarines to maintain the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD), a core mission ensuring a constant and credible deterrent against potential threats
- The Platform Equipment Delivery (PEDT) manages and supports complex defence systems and equipment, ensuring timely supply chain management and technical support
- The Naval Authority Technology Group (NATG) provides safety assurance, certification, subject matter expert advice and technical support to all classes of submarines and ships.
This post may be eligible for the NSQEP Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £12,000 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.
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.
What you’ll be doing
As Lead Engineer, you’ll use your exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills to build strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. You will tackle unique industry challenges, collaborating with global experts and allies to drive project success. Working at the forefront of engineering, science, and technology, you will share critical project information and provide subject matter expert advice to the SDA and the nuclear team.
You will be working at the forefront of marine technology, whilst acting as delegated authority on design intent and repair schemes for our submarine programmes, contributing to project successes. Your other key responsibilities will include:
- Providing technical leadership in your specialist area to solve complex problems with innovative solutions, supporting improved performance and enhancing capability
- Developing, maintaining, and delivering the Engineering Management Plan, interacting with other functions to ensure coherent planning
- Interfacing with industry as the intelligent customer on projects, helping SDA and industry understand technical risk
- Providing governance, assurance, and advice on complex projects and portfolios in your area of expertise to guide and influence senior leaders, scientists, and decision makers
- Delivering engineering products/services as set out in the Engineering Management Plan (EMP), including managing the acquisition safety aspects.
- Directing and delivering engineering activities in your area of responsibility as defined in the assignment specification or objectives
- Likely to hold Safety Responsibilities (SR)
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Hold a relevant BSC (i.e. Level 6 or higher) qualification in Engineering, or have equivalent relevant experience
- Hold Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or have the ability to obtain within 9 months
- Have experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes in complex projects within a highly regulated industry
- Have wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in own specialism with a sound understanding of other relevant technical disciplines
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
- Technical Decision-Making (Expert)
- Technical Risk Management (Expert)
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- 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.
#LI-Hybrid
Further Information
- Candidate Information Pack: http://bit.ly/SDA--Candidate-Information-Pack
- Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions
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.
Offering at a lower level
If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Christos Nakoutsis- SDA Talent Acquisition Specialist
- Email : christos.nakoutsis100@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : christos.nakoutsis100@mod.gov.uk
