About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security?

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.

The DNO leads all aspects of defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); including advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.  The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies.  

Here at DNO we truly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, skills, experiences, and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity, and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included, and empowered. If this sounds like the organisation for you then come and join us and be part of something that can make a positive impact on the world.  

Within DNO, the Warhead Directorate leads the UK nuclear warhead programme which provides a stockpile of reliable, safe and effective nuclear warheads to support the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent now and in the future.

The Warhead Directorate has staff based in MOD Main Building, MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol), Aldermaston (Reading), HM Naval Base Clyde (Scotland). This post can be based in Bristol, Reading or London with occasional travel between sites.

This post is on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may attract the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). This is a discretionary allowance. The post being listed on the PCL does not mean that the post holder will have an automatic entitlement to receive the RRA. The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Systems Design Validation & Verification (V&V) Manager acts as the focal point to provide engineering leadership on testing, evaluation, approvals, and verification needs for the RW programme. This is a varied role with an opportunity to lead different streams of work and with responsibility to line manage a C2/HEO support role.

The post will be responsible for ensuring integration of components, along with the Replacement Warhead’s integration with the Trident II D5 missile, through leading technical engagement with wider programme stakeholders in the UK and in the U.S. relating to Component Integration. 

With good technical understanding of weapon designs and support programmes, the Systems Design V&V Manager will undertake a varied range of duties. They will:

• Lead the Systems Integration perspective of Trials Tests & Evaluation (TT&E) through developing and overseeing the RWP’s testing, evaluation, approvals, and verification needs and how to fulfil them.
• Ensure compliance for Non-Nuclear Components (NNC) delivery and development, and wider Replacement Warhead Systems Integration with the international treaties/agreements/memoranda of understandings, including the Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA), Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA) and Technical Arrangements.
• Lead the technical collaboration and coordination for the ‘Non-Nuclear’ Component (NNC) portfolio for the RWP and Trident II D5 missile.
• Ensure effective management of the Safety Qualification for NNCs.

Person specification

Responsibilities

Lead the Test, Trials, and Evaluation (TT&E) effort for the testing, evaluation, approvals, and verification needs for the Replacement Warhead Programme:

• Take ownership of the Integrated Testing, Evaluation and Approvals Plan (ITEAP)
• Driving the direction of Qualification US/UK meeting forums with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide a touch point between DNO’s Test, Trials & Evaluation team, and the Replacement Warhead Programme.
• Ensure integration within the RWP through overseeing the approvals procedures plan for the procurement of nuclear material and the implications of the MDA, PSA and any other relevant international agreements.

Enable the Verification and Validation of a Replacement Warhead

• Manage the activities needed in terms of output and schedule adherence to enable the design solution to be verified against the system requirements and constraints.
• Execute the DNO assurance function, and develop processes to do so, including through peer reviews.
• Manage the activities required to enable validation of the design solution.

Identify and manage delivery of Enabling Products

• Manage the successful and timely identification of enabling products that will form the life cycle support products and services (production, test, deployment, stockpile evaluation (surveillance) training, maintenance, and disposal), which will facilitate the progression and use of the operational end-product through its Life Cycle Phases (LCPs).
• Be responsible for setting the RWP demand signal for acquiring services from the relevant enabling products in each life cycle phase.

Manage the DNO RWP Verification Planning

• Manage the preparation of the verification plan by establishing the method of verification to be performed, the position and form of products used, and the related cost and timescales of verification of individual specified requirements.
• Plan the activities needed to support the required verification methods including analyses, inspection, demonstration, and test.
• Ensure the conditions and environment against which the product is to be verified are established and plan the verification based on the associated entrance/exit criteria.

Manage the DNO RWP Validation Planning

• Manage the activities needed to enable successful delivery of the validation plan, to validate the end-product against the baselined stakeholder expectations.
• Enable the development of Test and Evaluation (T&E) planning and ensure any overlap of the verification and validation plans are managed appropriately.
• Facilitate the timely review of the iterations of the validation plans with relevant stakeholders.

RWP V&V Leadership tasks

• Brief and liaise with senior stakeholders across teams and departments to ensure the importance of the capabilities required for RW qualification are recognised.
• Understand the auspices under which international engagements are taking place (for example, the MDA and PSA), and provide the most relevant management information to the senior stakeholders in relevant fora.
• Work with RWP stakeholders to ensure a robust requirement set for the RW programme.

Qualifications

• Level 6 qualification in science or engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Nuclear Weapon Foundation Course (NWFC);
• TEST 10 - Trident Programme Support;
• Nuclear Weapon Design and Hazards (Z6) Course;
• AWE Advanced Warhead Technologies Course (AWTC).

Skills 

• Project or Programme Management experience.
• Knowledge of the Nuclear Weapon Programme
• An analytical mindset 

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with the U.S. under the PSA and MDA international collaborative arrangements;
• Experience of direct involvement in international collaborative programmes with the US Navy;
• Experience of the Nuclear Weapon programme
• Having a good understanding of the importance of compatibility with the wider warhead system;
• Experience working directly on the Nuclear warhead programme on Nuclear warhead safety, Re-entry Body design, development, qualification and integration;
• Experience in the Testing, evaluation, and qualification of Defence assets, particularly WOME and nuclear weapons;
• Review and acceptance management of nuclear weapon systems or components;

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,632 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown.

Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style.  

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

You have around 500 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role. 

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

The requirements for the role have been bench marked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview. 

Candidates are advised that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept UK Nationals and you will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MOD.  

Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates

1. This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, ‘only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service’[1] (Paragraph. 3.1).

UK National Definition

     2. The definition of a ‘UK National’ can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Dual Nationals

     3.  As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:

     a)   ‘Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.’ 

Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts

      4. As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules: 

      a) Departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.’

      5. If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons. 

DNO External Recruitment DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk

[1]  Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills:

• making effective decisions
• seeing the big picture
• leadership

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is 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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk 

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.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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.