About the job

Job summary

HIs Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde Design Authority are seeking to recruit a Principal Design Engineer to provide expertise in the field of Naval Architecture.

The Principal Design Engineer (Naval Architect) for the Additional Fleet Time Docking Capability will provide an exciting and unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde as it undergoes significant investment in support of current operations and in preparation for the future nuclear submarine and weapons programmes. 

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

This role can be undertaken through a Hybrid working pattern. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.

This post is eligible for the NSQEP Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £12,000 per annum. This allowance is discretionary and will be dependent on a candidate's ability to successfully demonstrate the necessary competency, qualifications, and experience to an independent panel of Subject Matter Experts.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

Working within the Clyde Design Authority, the Principal Design Engineer posts are responsible for ensuring that Design Substantiation is developed to support the nuclear design intent requirements for the Additional Fleet Time Docking Capability programme at HMNB Clyde, to support future operations.

The post holder will act as an authority for the development of the design substantiation, in their area of engineering specialism, and safety of nuclear activities, briefing seniors, operators and regulators and working with other UK partners as required.

To achieve this, we will offer significant opportunities to develop your knowledge of nuclear activities and designs through both formal training and on-site familiarisation.

Person specification

As the Design Authority for Naval Architecture working towards the introduction of the Additional Fleet Time Docking Capability you will be responsible for:

• Acting as the Intelligent Customer for contractor delivery of Design Substantiation to address safety case requirements, ensuring these are consistent with current good practice and regulatory requirements.

Skills and Experience:

• Design Substantiation of Class 1, 2 and 3 Structures, Systems and Components, in engineering area of expertise, demonstration of application of engineering codes and standards, demonstration of ALARP, and ensuring the validity of evidence in support of claims and arguments.
• Derivations and application of, Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing requirements for Structures, Systems and Components.
• Presenting to Safety Committees, such as an Authorisee's/Licensee's Nuclear Safety Committee (NSC)
• A track record of making intelligent evidence based decisions using various sources of data.
• The ability to effectively manage and prioritise your own and a team's workload.
• Minimum of Engineering Council degree in an engineering/science subject (or equivalent qualification or experience).

The Principal Design Engineer roles are Reserved Posts as it requires access to Protectively Marked Information associated with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme and therefore restrictions on specific dual nationalities apply.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 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 Technical skills.

We'll assess you against these behaviours at application and interview during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Nuclear Competence 4.4 Level 2 - Nuclear infrastructure concept, assessment, design, modification and life extension
• Nuclear Competence 6.1 Level 2 – Naval reactor plant and supporting infrastructure maintenance

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 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.