SDA Naval Architect

Ministry of Defence

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 4th November 2024

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Details

Reference number

374141

Salary

£48,500 - £51,300

per annum (pro rata), plus generous benefits and an average 27% employer pension contribution. Existing civil servants should refer to the Further Information document for salary details.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Other

Professional II

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MOD - Submarine Delivery Agency - Engineering

Type of role

Engineering

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Location

MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH

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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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 a naval architect inspired to work on cutting-edge defence projects? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA). Here, you’ll be at the forefront of naval architecture, solving unique technical challenges and collaborating with our partners to introduce new methods and technologies in support of Royal Navy submarines.

In this role, you will lead the development of Submarine Naval Architecture, working with research and development organisations and international partners to enhance engineering capabilities for submarine projects. You will also be responsible for updating and maintaining defence standards and guidance. Additionally, you will play a crucial role in providing second-party assurance for defence shipping, particularly in the areas of Submarine Manoeuvring & Control and Stability.

Your exceptional communication and influencing skills will be essential in building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the flow of critical information for these projects. This position offers wide exposure to various areas of our business, both industry and international, providing you with opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career while supporting the maintenance of defence standards, operational guidance, and analysis tools.

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

Assure the safety of platforms and manage naval architecture key hazard certification
Undertake analysis to inform design decisions, and ensure the provision of safe, capable submarines to the Royal Navy
Become a technical leader on naval architecture issues across the enterprise including Industry, Royal Navy and wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise stakeholders
Engage with and maintain relationships with international partners
Conduct general engineering manager activities such as contract change, approvals, finance management to support the project as required

Person specification

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

Relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience
Technical experience in naval architecture
Experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful
engineering outcomes
Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or be able to achieve within 9 months

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

Application of Analytical Techniques (Practitioner)
Technical Decision Making (Practitioner)
Communicating and influencing
Changing and improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,500, Ministry of Defence contributes £14,050 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.

#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

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.