SDA Systems Engineer
Job description
- Job grade: Other
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: MOD - Defence Nuclear - Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA)
- Type of role: Engineering
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
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 (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
The primary delivery location for this position is Barrow - in Furness.
Job description
Are you interested in delivering some of the most amazing projects in defence? In this role, you could help deliver one of the United Kingdom’s most complex and nationally important defence programmes.
The Submarine Delivery Agency is seeking an experienced Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Launcher Engineer to join the Chief Strategic Systems Executive (CSSE) Directorate and support delivery of the Shipyard Installation Test Programme (SITP) for the Dreadnought Class.
In this influential role, you will help oversee the procurement, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of Strategic Weapon Support Systems, contributing directly to the effective delivery of the United Kingdom’s Continuous At Sea Deterrence capability (CASD).
The role
You will provide comprehensive build-yard support for the Trident II (D5) Strategic Weapon System and its Launcher subsystem within the Missile Control Centre and Missile Compartment of Dreadnought Class submarines. Acting on behalf of the CSSE Technical Authority, you will oversee the correct integration of the US-supplied Launcher subsystem into UK submarine builds and ensure that SDA and CSSE engineering governance and assurance requirements are met.
You will be provided the opportunity for routine travel across the UK and USA in support of technical exchange requirements.
Key responsibilities
- Providing an oversight and assurance of Strategic Weapon System installation, testing, commissioning and technical administration, ensuring work is completed to approved documentation and the required standard.
- Leading and coordinating stakeholders across the shipyard, delivery groups, technical authorities, ship staff, contractors and UK–US partners to support efficient programme delivery.
- Monitoring delivery against integrated plans and readiness indicators, escalating issues and risks through the appropriate governance routes.
- Managing technical risks, queries, test changes, non-conformances, deficiencies and casualty reports, ensuring corrective actions and close-out are properly controlled.
- Assuring the development, review, approval and conduct of test procedures, including the management and analysis of test data and technical reports.
- Supporting Preliminary, Advanced and Final Weapon Inspections, helping demonstrate system readiness for sea trials, operations and transition into service.
- Managing resource and competence requirements across the Shipyard Installation Test Programme, including contractor and specialist support profiles.
- Providing assurance to the Strategic Weapon System Major System Approving Authority on the safe and professional status of the team and its activities.
- Promoting engineering professionalism by identifying future skills needs, supporting succession planning and mentoring Professional II engineers.
- Ensuring activities comply with applicable engineering, safety, quality, environmental, legislative and security requirements.
Why this role matters
This is an opportunity to apply your engineering judgement in a highly complex, safety-critical environment and to influence the delivery of a major national defence capability. You will work at the centre of a technically demanding programme, engaging with senior authorities and multidisciplinary partners while helping to resolve challenging integration, assurance and test issues. The breadth of the assignment offers significant scope to shape delivery, strengthen professional capability and contribute to the successful introduction of the Dreadnought Class into service.
Who we are looking for
You will be suited to this role if you can lead confidently in a complex engineering environment, exercise sound technical judgement and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. You will need to organise competing priorities, maintain rigorous governance and assurance, identify and manage risk, and provide clear direction when resolving technical or delivery challenges. A collaborative approach and a commitment to safety, quality and professional standards will be essential.
Reasonable Adjustments
We welcome applications from disabled candidates and individuals with long-term health conditions.
This role requires regular access to an Information Protection Zone (IPZ). As certain medical devices and assistive technologies may be restricted within IPZs for security reasons, any requirement to use such equipment must be assessed and approved through the relevant security process. Approval is considered on a case-by-case basis, and the ability to work within the designated IPZ is an essential requirement of the role.
Physical Requirements
This role requires a degree of physical capability, including accessing platforms and submarines via vertical ladders and undertaking work in areas with restricted access and confined spaces. Applicants must therefore be able to safely carry out these activities as part of the normal duties of the post.
Candidates are encouraged to discuss any workplace adjustment requirements with the job contact listed in the advert.
Flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered for this post but due to security constraints the role is not suitable for hybrid working. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.
Successful applicants for this role may be eligible for a Trident Specialist Allowance (TSA) or Trident Chartership (TCA) if eligibility criteria are satisfied. TSA and TCA are non-contractual, non consolidated, discretionary payments which may be withdrawn at any time.
Person specification
In order to be successful in your application, please ensure you meet the following essential criteria:
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration or ability to obtain once in post.
- Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body or to be obtained with first 6 months in post.
- Relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience
- Have extensive experience of working with internal and external stakeholders
- Strong team working skills and a collaborative approach
- Experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes
- Wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in own specialism with a broad understanding of the interdependencies between your work and related systems
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Application of Analytical Techniques (Practitioner)
- Technical Risk Management (Practitioner)
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD:
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;
Experience:
Personal Statement - This should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role.
Behaviours:
- Leadership (CSBC3)
- Communicating and influencing (CSBC3)
Technical Competencies:
- Application of Analytical Techniques (Practitioner)
- Technical Risk Management (Practitioner)
At Interview, you will be assessed against the following;
Experience:
Personal Statement/ Experience - The panel will ask questions about your personal statement. Exploring your Past Experiences, Key Achievements or Qualifications.
Behaviours:
- Leadership (CSBC3)
- Communicating and influencing (CSBC3)
Technical Competencies:
- Application of Analytical Techniques (Practitioner)
- Technical Risk Management (Practitioner)
Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours here and the Technical Skills Framework and Success Profile documents attached.
The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date.
Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams.
Requests to work flexibly and/or part time will be considered, taking into account business needs. Please note the salary will be pro-rata where part time hours are undertaken.
All employees joining Ministry of Defence who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Developed vetting.
To be considered for this role, qualifications and/or memberships detailed must be held in full, prior to submitting your application.
- Please note that this wording is not applicable if the essential criteria bullet point(s) include wording such as ‘or equivalent experience’, ‘or to be obtained once in post’.
This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances. The post does NOT offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Please note the Civil Service Nationality Rules will also need to be met. The Civil Service Nationality Rules operate independently and in addition to the UK Immigration Rules and must be met before an individual can take up employment in the Civil Service. The Civil Service Nationality Rules do not apply to UK, Irish and Commonwealth nationals, or to those who are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme but do apply to all other nationalities- including EU/EEA nationals who are ineligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Makin7g the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans - GOV.UK
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.
If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk
SDA Reward Offer - Working for SDA - Submarine Delivery Agency - GOV.UK
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.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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 : SDA Resourcing Team
- Email : SDA-HR-WorkforceResourcePlanning@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| 20250918-SDA-Engineering-Technical-Competences Opens in new window (pdf, 613kB) |
| 20240927_Professional Engineer_PII_SDA Success Profiles_FINAL-O Opens in new window (pdf, 140kB) |
| Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB) |
| Further Information - External Opens in new window (docx, 38kB) |
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