About the job

Job summary

Part of the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) is the organisation responsible for the regulation, surveillance, inspection and assurance of the Defence Air operating and technical domains. We ensure the safe design and use of military Air Systems.

As the single regulatory authority responsible for regulating all aspects of Air Safety across Defence, the MAA has full oversight of all Defence aviation activity. Through independent audit and continuous surveillance of military aviation, we aim to provide the Secretary of State for Defence (SoS), through Director General DSA (DG DSA), the necessary assurance that appropriate standards of Air Safety are maintained in delivering operational capability. The MAA consists of 4 Divisions, this advertised role sits within the Certification Division (Cert Div).

The Cert Div has responsibility for: developing the regulation for and undertaking certification of all new military Air Systems and major changes as defined by regulation to type designs; developing the regulation for and undertaking assurance of aircraft Programmable Elements, structural, propulsion and systems integrity; the sponsorship, management and maintenance of UK Air System Certification Specification (Defence Standard 00-970); and developing the regulation for and undertaking assurance of ships’ aviation facilities and capabilities, acting as the Naval Authority – Aviation defined in JSP 430.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Join a 3* commendation award-winning team! We are recruiting a motivated engineer to work closely with the ES4-ArmSys section lead. You will provide SME advice to Project Certification Managers for avionic and weapon systems. This is suited to a graduate wanting to expand their experience and knowledge. If there are gaps in your proficiencies, we will provide training; we strongly support CPD and professional recognition. As we are looking for a dedicated engineer, this post is likely to attract Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) (conditions apply). We have a strong team ethos, and need a stand out colleague! Who can work within the team and be relied upon to work their own projects. This post has no line management responsibilities.

Person specification

Certification. You will undertake reviews of MACP submissions and as you mature in post will become a Project Certification Manager for MACP programmes. Your analytical and detailed approach will enable risks and issues to be identified early in a project's lifecycle, enabling a proactive approach to resolution and reducing risk to life through safe design.

Regulation. The provision of input into the review of MRP and Def Stan 00-970 content and carry out Desk Officer reviews of Alternative Means of Compliance, Waivers and Exemptions (AWE) applications. Your knowledge and understanding of regulation and standards will enable you to make informed recommendations and form your own ideas for future development.

Other Duties. You will engage with other UK and international military and civilian regulatory bodies, aviation and air safety authorities, and technical forums regarding certification and type airworthiness requirements. You will have the opportunity to grow into the role with exposure to specialists from industry and other government organisations.

Opportunity for Development. You will support the armament SME, this presents an opportunity to upskill and develop your skills through training and mentoring. If you have the passion and ability to upskill in further subject areas, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.

Essential Criteria:
• Experience of aviation avionic and electrical systems with an appreciation of the importance of programmable elements.
• Have a working knowledge of avionics and electrical systems on Air Systems.
• Achieved HND or equivalent in a relevant engineering subject area with experience in the avionic and electrical field, or hold a BSc/BEng Hons in a relevant subject area.
• The candidate will need to demonstrate a knowledge of: Aviation Regulations, Certification principles, Stakeholder engagement etc.

Desirable Criteria:
• Knowledge and experience of the MRP.
• Achieved IEng.
• Have had recent engineering experience with military aircraft or employed in their support.
• Have worked on a programme to modify an Air System.

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.

If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 23:55 on the closing date.

Once submitted your application will be acknowledged by the Government Recruitment Service.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of Suitability.

Sift results are expected to be released 2 weeks from closing date.

If successful at sift, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles elements;

Technical:

• Airworthiness ACS001 Core Function (Practitioner)
• Engineering Aerospace AEFC2.3 (Practitioner)

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Interviews will take place no longer than 4 weeks after the closing date, details to be confirmed. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

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 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.