Threat Detection & Countermeasure Engineers and Scientists

At Dstl we protect lives. We take innovative Science and Technology (S&T) and use it to keep the country safe.

The Threat Detection and Countermeasures Group (TDaC) is one of twelve Groups within the Platform Systems Division working together to deliver battle winning Science and Technology (S&T) to support the Ministry of Defence and wider Government in a broad range of ground breaking technical research and operational areas. 

Through the use of modelling and simulation (M&S) tools, practical laboratory work,  and field trials, you will be influencing and providing complex advice to colleagues across defence on detection and countermeasure solutions that have a direct impact to our military customers and defence procurement that really matter.

We are seeking a number of Physicists, Scientists and Engineers to join our team to enable UK Forces freedom of action through the ability to detect and defeat complex threat systems. 

Join us and you will be part of a growing team that provides advice on current and future detection and countermeasure concepts required to protect platforms from a range of threats. Our work informs military decision makers of the effectiveness of detection and countermeasure systems; we research, develop and advise on future solutions, technologies and equipment which could enhance survivability of military platforms that operate in the air, land and maritime domains. 

You will work across Dstl and wider MOD to develop an in-depth understanding of the technology challenges and operational context of military platform protection methods. You will support relevant stakeholder communities across MOD, UK and international defence industry to find viable and exploitable detection and countermeasure solutions.

Your ability to communicate scientific work clearly and concisely will be key to success as you collaborate and coordinate across Dstl, international defence industry partners and wider MOD to ensure the team has a robust capability to meet current and future needs. You will be encouraged to undertake continued professional development in preparation for more senior technical leadership roles.

You will gain exposure to innovative technologies and seek to build an in-depth understanding of platform protection, the threat environment and the likely nature of future military operations. If you are someone who loves problem solving, then this is your opportunity to tackle the problems our Armed Forces face both today and in the future.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

We have a number of roles within TDaC

1.  Senior Air Domain Radar Warning Receiver Subject Matter Expert (1 position at Level 5)

In this role you will:

• Support the Project Technical Authority in delivering against research and procurement plans;
• Operate as a Work Package Technical Lead for RWR research and development by planning;
• Monitor and delivering technical outcomes and controlling costs;
• Support international research collaboration;
• Provide technical briefings on progress in key research areas;
• Provide technical review and assurance of work done by others within the project;
• Provide direction to junior technical staff.

2.  Air Domain Radar Warning Receiver Scientist (1 position at Level 4)

In this role you will:

• Support the Work Package Technical Lead in contributing to the RWR project;
• Support other projects related to RF countermeasures in the air domain;
• Contribute to technical and progress briefings to senior technical staff;
• Contribute to international research collaboration

3.  Electro-Optic Countermeasure Electronics Engineer (1 position at Level 5)

In this role you will:

• Design and develop complex test and evaluation capabilities to include electrical power electronic based motion control, data acquisition, use high pressure gases and automated safety measures;
• Fault finding and maintenance of the team’s core test and evaluation capabilities;
• Operation of laboratory and field trial capabilities to support the delivery of high impact scientific research and operational advice.

4.  Electronic and Digital Signal Processing Engineers (2 positions at Level 4, 1 position at Level 5)

In this roll you will:

• Integration of complex electrical systems;
• Motion control and data acquisition development for lab based hardware-in-the-loop applications;
• Electronics modelling. 

5.  Air Radio Frequency Countermeasures Physicists (1 position each at Level 4 and 5)

You will use your experience of RF systems and RF sensors and your military awareness to aid future-focused research into air platform protection, to meet the needs of current and future operating environments.

You will support the development of models and novel countermeasure concepts that address future threat systems and make use of active and passive countermeasure techniques. You will have the opportunity to gain experience and understanding of multiple wavebands and a wide range of Electronic Attack techniques, such as swarming UAV jamming and expendable active decoys.

6.  Systems Engineers – Platform and Mission Level Survivability Lead. (1 position at each of the Levels, 4, 5 & 6)

The successful candidates will seek to understand the key challenges facing our customers. At the higher levels they will provide leadership based on their understanding of platform protection, the threat environment and the likely nature of future military operations. They will influence and develop research proposals and activities that provide advice to address those challenges.

You will be required to advise colleagues in the Military and defence procurement areas on platform countermeasure solutions.

Collaboration with equivalent project and capability teams from across our International Partners will be key to success.

7.  Electro-Optic and/or Radio Frequency Modelling and Simulation Scientist (1 position each at Level 4 and 5)

In this role you will:

• Work within a multi-disciplinary team, leading on modelling facility development and simulation studies
• Advise and inform internal colleagues across Dstl and its external partners within the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces and International Agencies
• Ensure development of software and hardware based simulation tools for the simulation and modelling of real systems
• Conduct simulation studies in support of specific requirements
• Analyse, report and brief data gathered through simulation studies
• Consider new approaches to modelling within Dstl

Full descriptions of the roles are in the attached “TDaC Job Description” document at the foot of the job listing. Information about Dstl Levels and the relevant salary range is also attached.

We are looking for people who have:
The passion and motivation to deliver pioneering, innovative capabilities into the hands of our front-line personnel. We want people who can employ a combination of deep technical knowledge along with good communication skills to work closely with the team and our customers, be they civilian or military.
If you have previous experience, we will look to you to drive innovation and delivery, and lead and develop those around you.

You’ll need a combination of the following:

• Good understanding of the physics behind detection systems and sensors, electronics, Radio Frequency, optics and lasers;
• An interest in military platforms such as aircraft and maritime vessels, missiles and the context of their use;
• A systems engineering mindset relevant to identifying requirements, planning projects and conducting verification and validation;
• Good interpersonal (verbal, presentational and written) communications skills;
• The ability to think and work innovatively to overcome current and future problems;
• The ability to apply a broad variety of analytical techniques to solve problems.

Essential Technical Skills
We expect you to hold a degree or have equivalent proven experience in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Essential Skills
You will have highly developed communication skills, with the ability to adjust your style to the needs of different audiences.
You will be accomplished and passionate about building positive relationships with colleagues, customers and partners in other organisations.

Essential Experience
Evidence of conducting scientific or analytical activities and delivering to time. Communicating difficult concepts and results effectively to a wide audience via a range of means (reports, presentations). Experience of technical planning and formulating initiatives into structured activities. 

At the higher levels:
• You have provided professional advice in complex situations where there are no easy answers.
• You have lead project technical and safety aspects, and assured the standard of work.
• You have developed requirements for technical solutions which meet customer needs.
• You have assessed technologies against requirements.

Memberships
Opportunities to explore Chartership will be available to all candidates.
It would be beneficial if applicants were working towards or already hold Chartership and Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), or the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE).

A successful candidate will:
• Form and influence a network of technical specialists to support and advise them on the delivery of fit for purpose engineering solutions
• Engage closely with UK PLC engineering and science capabilities to form a cadre of industry partners who can support Dstl in answering some of our most pressing questions
• Understand the emerging technology picture, realise the threats and opportunities that it represents, and provide impartial advice to the end user on effective exploitation
• Communicate the potential benefits and the impacts on capability of these options to our Military Customers

At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver innovative science and technology with our partners, working in a way they need to wherever they need to. This role is largely office based, but will involve travel to customer sites (e.g. Air Command) and also sites belonging to technology suppliers. Such sites may be outside of the UK!

Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

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

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Please state which role and level you are applying for, these are listed below, the criteria for these roles can be found in the document attached to the Job advert.

  Using the criteria for your preferred role, please explain how your skills and experie

• Please provide an example of a relevant technical challenge you have overcome and describe how you approached solving it.

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
• Flexible working: Full flexibility working options include alternative working patterns, compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours. Remote working may be available dependent on role.
• Flexible working hours: Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

The information pack can be found attached to the job specification on Civil Service Jobs. 

Our Diversity Networks

We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work. These include the following:

• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network
• Race, Faith and Culture Network
• Parents and Carer Support Network
• Alternative Working Network
• Gender Equality Network
• New Starters Network
• Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Job contact :

• Name : Dstl HR Recruitment
• Email : Dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk