About the job

Job summary

Designing and installing protective systems. Inspecting, maintaining and repairing essential communications and other technical equipment. Preventing and detecting technical eavesdropping attacks. Protecting against technical espionage and preventing our customers’ information and premises from compromise. Helping design the next generation of security products. These are just a few examples of the incredible work our Technical Security Engineers do. They plan, design and deliver in all corners of the globe. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them and help protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas.

Job description

Let’s introduce ourselves

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 the value of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we're on. In our world, it all matters.

So what will you do?

You’ll work with multiple engineering teams, learning how they design, install, maintain and repair the technical systems that keep our government-level customers secure. The work is incredibly varied, and each project and team placement will build your skills. Upon successful completion of this programme, which includes assessments to ensure suitability and to match your skill set to each operational placement, there’s a strong chance we’ll offer you a permanent position.

You could find yourself in our Security Systems area, based in the UK but travelling overseas on a project-by-project basis to install a range of protective systems. Or you might join one of our Regional Technical Support Services Teams, living and working overseas for up to four years, travelling throughout your region providing technical support to our customers. Or you might be assigned to the National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping where you’ll help to prevent and detect technical eavesdropping attacks in the UK and overseas.

Join us and you’ll be a valued part of the team, building your specialist skills, while having far-reaching impact and widening your options – all with the benefits of a career in the Civil Service.

Person specification

The Trainee Technical Security Engineer programme is open to everyone, but you must:

• British citizenship, having lived in the UK for the last three years before your start date and for at least five of the last ten years (if you have been stationed overseas on HMG duty this isn’t applicable)
• Be at least 18 years old by 1 July 2024 so you can obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance before your start date
• A minimum Level 3 Technical Qualification in any discipline that includes an element of electronics (candidates completing qualification in the next 2 months will be accepted)
• Be IT literate and proficient in the Microsoft Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Show us you’re genuinely interested in engineering and technology
• Have experience of using basic engineering hand tools
• Have effective written and oral communication skills
• Be interested in overseas travel
• Be reliable, responsive, easy to work with and able to build relationships

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,887, FCDO Services contributes £6,787 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 Strengths.

• Application sift
• Online judgement test
• Interactive group exercise
• Interview

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.