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 oversees all 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); and 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. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines – known as the Dreadnought Class – and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry.  

Here at DNO we strongly 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, 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. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes 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) and HM Naval Base Clyde (Scotland). This post can be based in Bristol or Reading with regular travel between sites.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Future Capability team within DNO Transport, are responsible for the development and delivery of a new, safe and secure transport capability and related equipment projects for the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The team are now looking for an Engineer, a new post to support the Engineering Manager in delivering a capability from concept design through to delivery into service. 

This is a stimulating post within a strong and supportive team where you will be involved in a really interesting programme which will develop your engineering skills through practical experience and relevant training development opportunities.

We seek a disciplined and enthusiastic self-starter to join the team and develop this new role, with opportunities to progress your career across the Engineering profession and the broader Defence Nuclear Organisation.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds who believe they have enough relevant experience, with the drive to develop their engineering skills, and interest in playing a significant role in shaping and executing the Future Capability team’s long-term ambitions.

Please note that a full driving licence will be required to enable travel between sites.

The team is supportive of hybrid working; however, the role will require frequent site access to attend meetings and access IT systems.

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.

Person specification

Ideal candidates will be from an engineering background and have keen interest in learning and developing technical competence relevant to the nuclear industry.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are essential, as there will be regular engagement with Defence Regulators and wider project stakeholders once you are comfortable with the project and embedded within the team.

An understanding of safety management principles, requirements development, and interface management, applied in a high hazard and highly regulated industry, would be of value.

Experience and a good understanding of how technical projects are delivered within Defence would be beneficial.

Role responsibilities: 

Once established and developed within the role, your responsibilities will include: 

• Supporting requirements and interface management for future projects. This will involve working with stakeholders ranging from end users to regulators to identify and capture requirements and interfaces with the system.

• Supporting and planning for approval, classification, and acceptance of the future system with the competent authority, regulatory community, and approving authority. This includes supporting the development of relevant technical submissions and managing the supply and delivery of required evidence.

• Developing technical subject matter expertise to allow you to act as the intelligent customer and support both the project team and the wider Transport Team.

• Aiding and supporting the system design and integration through the programme lifecycle.

This exciting new role offers opportunities to be directly engaged with design, development, manufacture, and demonstration of capabilities.

As part of your learning and development, there are opportunities to be involved in emergency planning and operations training to understand the role that the wider Transport team plays within the Nuclear Enterprise.

Along with this, attainment of formal qualifications relevant to the role and wider Defence Acquisition would be supported and encouraged.

It is also important to note that due to the nature of the work you will need to be a UK national and achieve Developed Vetting security clearance prior to commencing the role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a HNC (ie. Level 4) qualification in a relevant Engineering/Science subject or have demonstrable equivalent experience.

Skills

• Two years’ experience in an Engineering or technical role.

Desirable Qualifications

• Membership of an appropriate Engineering Institute.
• Batchelors Degree in an Engineering field.
• Defence Ordnance, Munitions & Explosives Awareness Training.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of design, development, manufacture, or in-service maintenance of vehicle or container systems for explosives and/or nuclear material in a Defence setting.
• Good experience of working in a nuclear or high hazard environment.
• Experience of delivering MOD projects through CADMID cycle.  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 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.

You will be asked on the application to complete details of your previous qualifications and work experience (CV) and will have around 1000 words for a Statement of Suitability.

This should set out why you are applying for the role and is your opportunity to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role using the identified qualifications and skills (detailed in the person specification, role responsibilities and experience section). 

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

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

The interview will be assessed based on the Behaviours and Technical Competencies identified below. 

• Leadership
• Working Together
• INCOSE UK: System Design – Interface Management  

The CV and Statement of Suitability will be used to aid interviewers in guiding questions to relevant areas.

*Please note that not following the instructions will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or 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.   

No application can be accepted after the closing date.  

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.

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) 

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.

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 

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.