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, and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence.

Here you’ll find a community to belong to – whether that’s alongside project teams with a shared vision or as part of an employee network of like-minded individuals. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

Discover more about our work:

We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 27%, to help work work for you.

Job description

Are you a graduate or completing an apprenticeship in the Engineering sector? The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) has career opportunities for eager engineers to join our Information Assurance Development Scheme (IADS). These are excellent opportunities for talented individuals, looking to progress their early career in Engineering and Information Assurance in some of the most complex and exciting programmes in the country, with support to develop themselves professionally in a dynamic working environment. 

The IADS will kick-start your career within SDA; over 24 months you will engage with core activities designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of Information Assurance. You will work on our most modern and technically advanced programmes and, as you progress through the scheme, will liaise with project teams specialising in complex submarine systems at all stages of the lifecycle (concept through to dismantling/disposal). 

The work you will help deliver within the Information Assurance specialism is some of the most important to UK Defence; you will work on our most modern and technically advanced programmes and, as you progress through the scheme, will liaise with project teams specialising in many different submarine systems.

At the end of the Scheme, you will be either allocated to a STSII role or promoted into a STSI role within the SDA. 

These roles are open to Graduates, Junior Engineers and/or Apprentices of related engineering or information disciplines and are well-suited to individuals who are seeking exposure to a demanding, yet rewarding, specialism like Submarine Information Assurance, defined progression routes and opportunities to prosper. We care about your career path, will encourage your progression, and nurture your development by your side, with ongoing opportunities for professional registration and further qualifications. 

For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship. 

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months. 

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Whilst on the Abbey Wood site in Bristol, you’ll experience our impressive range of on-site facilities including a restaurant and coffee bistros and free parking. Our sports facilities include a fully equipped gym and sports hall with bookable classes, as well as a squash court, tennis courts and a football pitch.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop your technical skills in the designated specialist areas and demonstrate capability to a set standard.
• Maintain a comprehensive record of training and learning against a defined skill set within the IA Development Plan.
• Work pro-actively with colleagues to assist in delivering key objectives.
• Undertake training and placements at various locations around the UK.
• Undertake a formal assessment to demonstrate the required competence levels to support progression to the next level as defined in the IA Development Plan.
• Deliver services, products, and data flows against agreed objectives to develop knowledge and experience and add value to the team and wider business.
• Grow an appreciation in a wide range of cyber technologies. These will include topics such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Network Architecture, Information Management and Protection, Cyber Security, Data Flows, and Digitisation processes.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• 3 A Levels graded CCC or 4-9 which must include Mathematics, Science / IT / Engineering and one other subject or an equivalent qualification such as ONC or BTEC (level 3) in Mathematics / Science / IT / Engineering.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Application of Analytical Techniques – Awareness (EFCF 2)
• Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance (EFCF 3)
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC 2
• Working Together – CSBC 2

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,506 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

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.

2. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills

Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

3. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Security

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.