About the job

Job summary

You’re an enthusiastic team player with a passion for computers and electronics. You enjoy developing and building prototypes and creating products using the latest 3D printing technology. And you’re a highly creative self-starter who’s ready to work on your own or alongside other members of a small team. But now you want to do something new. You want to take your career to a different level, and work with an organisation that has real influence around the world.

Job description

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings, courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech, and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we're on. In our world, it all matters.

Making government buildings as safe and secure as possible is an important task. Our Product Development and Innovation team work to develop bespoke systems and solutions, to enhance what we can provide to customers now and in the future. From the CCTV to public address systems. We have high standards in the hardware and software we create and the products we provide are crucial to security with exceptional capabilities built in.

Join a team that brings innovative new security systems to life

When you join you’ll be a key member of a collaborative and flexible Innovation and Development team which takes ideas and brings new security systems to life. Designing, building and testing everything from circuit boards to complete out-of-the-box electronic systems, your work will involve improving and modifying the security products we already use to make them easier to install or improve their effectiveness. Always ready to report any issues or risks that arise, you’ll also be capable of task managing, coaching and sharing your knowledge with other members of the team. 

Develop original ideas and keep your professional development on track
You’ll have a number of additional responsibilities – these include producing user manuals, installation guides and method statements for the completion of tests, and ensuring that all the products and solutions you deliver meet industry standards. We’ll also expect you to follow our governance policies, processes and procedures, adhere to the specifications laid down by our customers, and observe all the relevant Health & Safety regulations. This is a role where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop your own ideas, learn new skills and gain new qualifications as you help the team and our business improve and grow.

Use all your skills to help us defend the UK’s national security interests

With a degree in electronics or a similar discipline, you’ll have a BTEC Level 3 in electronics or telecommunications engineering, or relevant practical experience. Skilled at product development and technical design, you’ll be capable of using CAD software to produce drawings, and of producing accurate costings for the projects and services you work on. We’ll expect you to have experience of the installation and maintenance of security systems, and in addition to strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management abilities, you’ll also have the ability to work effectively in a small team of highly skilled professionals.

Grow your career in the biggest way possible

Working with us you’ll help keep people, information, and assets safe around the world. It’s a role you can feel proud of, and we aim to make every part of your career just as rewarding. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide – we suggest Constructing the Secure Embassy – to take you round, to see how the team delivers for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

All our employees have to be security cleared before being appointed, so you’ll need to undergo a vetting process as part of your application. This role requires you to go through Developed Vetting (DV). You can find out more about vetting on our website.

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world.

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

Hanslope Park based posts attract a Location Allowance of £1,750 per annum.

FCDO Services are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

Person specification

Key Accountabilities
• Design solutions, adapt, modify, enhance existing units to meet user requirements and progress the technical development of FCDO Services products and services
• Deliver robust, value-engineered, quality products/solutions that underpin and build client confidence in FCDO Services products 
• Design and create prototypes and working system items to a component level
• Test products to ensure they meet security and client specification; Use applied knowledge and test to break fail; expand testing regime to cover all potential installation situations equipment may face
• Produce written outputs that meet industry recognised standards / requirements, e.g. user manuals, installation guides, method statements for testing completion 
• Coach and share knowledge with team colleagues
• Maintain own professional development and expertise in the latest technologies and best practice to support and grow the business and team

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,510, FCDO Services contributes £9,587 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

Shortlisting will be conducted against Job Specific Skills, Knowledge and Experience
outlined in the Role Profile.

Interviews will be conducted using a mixture of behaviours and Job Specific questions,
presentation or Job Specific exercise.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

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.