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. 

The Warhead Directorate has staff based in MoD Main Building, MoD Abbey Wood (Bristol), Aldermaston (Reading) and HM Naval Base Clyde (HMNB(C)) (Scotland).  The posts in this advert will based in either the Aldermaston or Abbey Wood sites, however regular travel across locations will be required.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Warhead Stockpile Management (WSM) team has the responsibility to maintain safe, effective and available in-service Nuclear Warheads in the support of the UK Strategic Deterrent and the maintenance of Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD). 

Across the team, we rely on Engineers to ensure that the MoD remains an intelligent Customer in all that we do, that equipment delivered is effectively integrated across the Nuclear Enterprise, and that support is provided to critical equipment capabilities to ensure that the Mission is delivered. 

With a variety of opportunities on offer, you could be delivering outputs that range from the acquisition of new operational equipment, managing the baseline of approved equipment and activities, support the DNO in sustaining our US interfaces, assessing Nuclear Weapon design changes or anything in between.  Regardless of the role, we need people who recognise the importance of their work in the bigger picture, can use their engineering knowledge to set clear requirements and expectations, and will work collaboratively with their colleagues to ensure we meet those requirements. 

Many technical disciplines are represented in the deterrent programme, so it is likely that your background is relevant, from mechanical engineering and applied science to systems engineering and configuration management. No Nuclear knowledge or prior defence experience is necessary, but we are looking for Engineers with an ability to apply their experience and knowledge to a wider array of projects and engineering topics across a complex defence enterprise. 

As one of the highest Defence priorities, we work alongside Civil Service, military, industry, and academic stakeholders at all levels of seniority, providing potential for excellent exposure and experience.

The following positions would be suitable for entry level engineers looking to enhance their experience through work in the defence sector. We are welcoming applications from candidates who may not have experience in the below but would be willing to learn on the job.

Modification Manager

The Modifications Team requires one modification manager to:

• Manage the baseline of approved equipment and activities;
• Capture and manage potential changes to equipment and processes through the product lifecycle;
• Understand and manage interfaces to other equipment, processes, and organisations;
• Managing authorised changes through the approval process; and
• Ensuring that operations continue to be conducted in line with the approved conditions.

Engineering Manager

The In-Service Support Team requires one Engineering Manager to: 

• Provide In-Service Support to Nuclear Weapon handling operations at Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) Coulport.
• Provide through-life management and the design authority for a variety of support equipment and tooling.
• Support the Development and integration of new Nuclear Weapon processing operations at RNAD Coulport.
• Assist in the management of Nuclear Warhead equipment configuration control.
• Assist with the management of emergent issues relating to Nuclear Warhead operations and handling equipment. 

As a C2/Higher Executive Officer (HEO) you will be take responsibility to deliver specific technical tasks or project elements as assigned by your Senior Executive Officer (SEO).  As a technical representative, you will be expected to make robust and evidence-based recommendations on the suitability and quality of deliverables to the SEO team lead.  You will need to reach balanced judgements that account for both important technical details, and the wider programme context. 

The Warhead Stockpile Management team have interactions across the DNO, Industry, with RNAD Coulport and with the United States.

Person specification

Successful candidates will, depending on the precise role, undertake activities including: 

• Working with others to define and agree technical requirements and verification plans,
• Evaluating evidence from suppliers to ensure those requirements have been met,
• Making recommendations on the acceptability of suppliers’ outputs,
• Quantifying and communicating levels of risk to safety and product performance,
• Providing advice to Duty Holders and decision-makers across the organisation,
• Resolving science and engineering problems as part of diverse, multi-organisation teams,
• Ensuring compliance with Defence directives, regulations, and engineering standards,
• Consulting stakeholders to ensure that all technical aspects have been adequately addressed,
• Conducting reviews or audits of compliance with key processes and managing necessary corrective actions,
• Aiding effective project management by identifying risks and supporting planning/scheduling,
• Providing technical reporting and briefing to various customers. 

We’re keen to see applications from candidates that have:

• Worked in an engineering delivery environment, ideally in a regulated or standards-driven industry.
• Been key contributors to decision-making processes, irrespective of the industry.
• Have a technical or STEM background and are seeking to apply this in a new and complex working environment. 

Qualifications:

• The minimum qualification in this range of vacancies is an Engineering ONC (or equivalent Level 3 qualification) or equivalent experience in a technical or engineering environment.

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 and Experience.

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 the Behaviours and Experience sections in the appropriate competency style. 

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

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. 

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. 

Application Process: 

STAGE ONE - SIFT

You will be required to supply us with an up-to date CV.  This will be used to sift suitable candidates. 

The CV will ask for your Job History, Qualifications and Past Skills and Experience. 

Your past skills and experience should be aligned to the following guidance:

• Outline your skills and recent experience relevant to this role referring to the role description and responsibilities. Please keep succinct and write in prose rather than bullet points.
• Include relevant training that you have undertaken (even if it is in-house training and not recognised by an awarding body).
• Include professional memberships or qualifications (even if they have lapsed). 

You will also provide a personal statement of up to 750 words where you have the opportunity to show why you want this role and what benefits would you bring.

STAGE TWO – INTERVIEW

If invited for an interview you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Success Profiles behaviours;

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Working Together and Making Effective Decisions.

The interview is expected to last no more than 1 hour.

Please note that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept UK Nationals and you will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MOD. 

Demonstration of specific Nuclear knowledge and experience not essential but candidates should be able to demonstrate similar safety and lifecycle management skills in a complex engineering environment.

No application can be accepted after the closing date. 

Sifting is expected to be conducted late March and interviews are expected to take place in early April.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. 

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) 

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.