Navy Command - Principal Design Engineer RW

Job description

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for todays challenges and tomorrows opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navys readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navys nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in - service management to long - term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Clyde, home to the UK Submarine Service. It sustains the nations continuous at-sea deterrent and supports the Royal Navys fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. As a centre of excellence for submarine operations, Clyde plays a critical role in national security and global stability.

This position is a Reserved Post within the Civil Service, for which only sole UK nationals are eligible. Under the Civil Service Nationality Rules, UK nationals include British citizens, British subjects with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, and British Overseas Territories citizens.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Within HM Naval Base Clyde, the Design Authority acts on behalf of the Clyde Authorisee to ensure that nuclear activities remain safe, compliant and capable of supporting current and future Royal Navy operations. We are recruiting two Approving Authority Principal Design Engineers at Senior Executive Officer grade within the Replacement Warhead Design team: one Civil and one Mechanical. This is an opportunity to help shape major new infrastructure at RNAD Coulport from its earliest design stages, supporting the future undertaking of Replacement Warhead activities. Reporting to the Assistant Head Approving Authority (Design) Replacement Warhead, the postholders will provide technical assurance within their discipline and influence how safety, operability, maintainability and through-life requirements are built into the developing design.

The Principal Design Engineers will act as the Design Authority Intelligent Customer for their assigned Civil or Mechanical discipline. Working closely with project teams, designers and specialist stakeholders, they will provide informed challenge and assurance as the new infrastructure develops from concept and early design. They will help ensure that design intent, engineering substantiation and safety requirements are defined clearly and embedded from the outset, creating facilities that can safely and effectively support Replacement Warhead activities at RNAD Coulport.

What you will be doing:

• Act as the Design Authority Intelligent Customer and subject matter expert for the assigned Civil or Mechanical discipline.
• Assess, approve, maintain and manage engineering substantiation for relevant Class 1, 2 and 3 structures, systems and components.
• Ensure design intent, safety and operational functional requirements, operating constraints and applicable standards are appropriately defined and met.
• Assess design changes, concessions and maintenance or operational changes that may affect design intent or the approved safety justification.
• Support independent technical review and resolve findings relating to engineering substantiation.
• Develop and review through-life examination, inspection, maintenance and testing requirements, procedures and results.
• Work collaboratively with Replacement Warhead project teams and designers, providing technical direction and assurance to influence the developing infrastructure design.
• Lead and develop staff within the relevant engineering discipline and promote a strong nuclear safety and security culture.

Person specification

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

• Experience developing, assessing, approving or maintaining engineering substantiation for safety-critical civil or mechanical structures, systems and components.
• Ability to apply independent, evidence-based judgement to complex engineering and safety issues.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and influencing technical stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Degree or equivalent qualification and experience in civil engineering, mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status, or working towards achieving it.

This position is a Reserved Post within the Civil Service, for which only sole UK nationals are eligible. Under the Civil Service Nationality Rules, Sole UK nationals include British citizens, British subjects with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, and British Overseas Territories citizens.

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates

• Nuclear, defence, explosives, maritime or other high-hazard industry experience.
• Experience acting as an Intelligent Customer, Design Authority, Technical Authority or Approving Authority.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and through-life examination, inspection, maintenance and testing arrangements.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Nuclear Competence Framework 4.4: Nuclear Infrastructure Concept, Assessment, Design, Modifications and Life Extensions - Level 2
• Nuclear Competence Framework 5.4: Nuclear Infrastructure Procurement, Supervision of Manufacturing and Acceptance - Level 2

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes 13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)
• Assisted travel scheme

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and youll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

Youll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to masters degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include on-the-job training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.

At Sift,you will be assessed against the following;

• Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details.
• Candidates will be required to provide a personal statement. This should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following success profiles:

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical Skills:

• Nuclear Competence Framework 4.4: Nuclear Infrastructure Concept, Assessment, Design, Modifications and Life Extensions
• Nuclear Competence Framework 5.4: Nuclear Infrastructure Procurement, Supervision of Manufacturing and Acceptance

Candidates who are unsuccessful at interview for the advertised post may be considered for another suitable vacancy at the same or a lower grade within the HMNB Clyde Design Authority, provided they meet the requirements of that role

Further information:

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.

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. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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 Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

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.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : [email protected]
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [email protected].

Attachments Navy Candidate Attraction Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 7954kB) Navy Candidate Information Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 1513kB) Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB) Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)