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Operational Delivery
Quality
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About the job
Job summary
We welcome applications from every part of the community, and we dont discriminate against any gender identity. Were especially interested to hear from underrepresented groups in the DfT such as gender diverse, ethnic minority, LGBT+ and disabled candidates.
- Do you have experience with data management?
- Are you ambitious, pro-active and a self motivated individual who is looking to make a role their own?
- Do you have excellent networking and communication skills?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
Job description
The role of the Compliance Engineer is to ensure that production facilities are manufacturing in compliance with the manufacturers approved specifications of vehicles or components.
This could be conducting audits of assembly plants at a variety of manufacturers, ranging from global OEMs to national bodybuilders, both in the UK and overseas. It could be reviewing audit reports and non-conformance closure evidence as part of a quality assurance role within our central team. Or it could be supporting internal projects on connected and automated vehicles to ensure readiness for new technologies.
Whichever compliance role you undertake, you will be important in ensuring that VCA-approved vehicles and components are being manufactured to the required quality standards and get the rare opportunity to experience a broad section of the automotive sector.
A typical week could be preparing for audits by pulling together historical information and understanding the technical type approval content, then conducting the audit at the site or remotely, and finally writing up the findings and communicating clearly with the approval holder on the outcome.
A good technical understanding of motor vehicle technology and excellent interpersonal skills including excellent organisational skills and attention to detail are required as this job involves handling large amounts of data. Please note audit-focussed roles could incur travel away from home of up to 60%. This can be discussed further at the interview stage.
Where the role sits within VCA
The Vehicle Certification Agency is the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority and is an Executive agency of the Department for Transport with over 30 years experience supporting industry by providing internationally recognised testing and certification for vehicles, their systems, and components. The Agency headquarters are located in Bristol with further UK offices on the HORIBA MIRA proving ground in the Midlands, and on the UTAC-Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.
This role is within the Statutory Operations function of VCA and sits within the Conformity of Production department (CoP). The CoP team visit and assess production facilities and the controls put in place by manufacturers such that Type Approval standards are maintained. The introduction of the GB Type Approval Scheme in 2022 is an opportunity for VCA to evolve to meet a new objective and support the global automotive industry in gaining GB Type Approval. These roles are an important part of that evolution, and their purpose is to undertake audits of automotive manufacturers production facilities and determine compliance against Type Approval requirements. These roles will have the privilege of working directly with global OEMs, getting to see their production sites first-hand. The global nature of the automotive sector will mean there is a significant opportunity for travel internationally with these roles.
Find out more about working in Statutory Operations here!
Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:
Depending on the role undertaken, you could have some or all of these responsibilities:
- Undertaking on-site audits to applicable type approval standards. Raising, follow-up and closure of non-conformances. There are targets for closure of any non-conformances and the post-holder should be motivated to monitor and close out their work and contract auditor work as directed.
- Undertaking remote audits to applicable type approval standards. Establishing a risk rating based on the evidence presented and own experience and communicating clearly to the client the outcome of the audit.
- Reviewing audit reports and non-conformance closure evidence as part of a quality assurance process which decides whether to grant clearance to the manufacturer.
- Supporting projects to ensure VCA is ready for new technology, such as connected and automated vehicles.
- Dealing with telephone, office and client technical queries in a professional and friendly manner. The post holder will need to be able to prioritise workload to achieve the best outcome.
- Use of engineering knowledge to review test result data and determine its compliance against type approval standards.
- Keeping up to date with the latest technology trends.
- Support and direct administrative staff as required.
- Collaborate with colleagues to share knowledge and best practice within own department and related departments.
For further information, please see the attached Role Profile
Person specification
About You
We are looking for an individual with the below experience:
- Working in an engineering capacity, following procedures and understanding regulations or standards.
- Analysing data or documents and reporting on findings.
- Delivering outcomes on time and to a high standard.
Additional Information
A minimum of 40% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace.
You will be expected to commute to different sites across the UK, with potential for overseas travel.
Development opportunities
If you fit the person profile and are interested in a new challenge, VCA would love the opportunity to develop you to become a vital part of our team. When you join, we will create your personal development plan and set out activities to grow your experience in Type Approval and auditing as needed.
We could do this through:
- Empowering you to seek out shadowing opportunities with experienced Compliance Engineers and attending different types of CoP audits.
- ISO9001 Lead Auditor course.
- Internal and external training opportunities to develop knowledge on:
- Vehicle type approval and automotive legislation
- Technical automotive subjects relevant to type approval
- Automotive management systems
- Personal skills, such as people management.
- Colleague knowledge sharing.
- Access to a broad network of eLearning through the Civil Service.
- Access to a range of external training courses and apprenticeships.
Licences
Qualifications
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Building and applying knowledge.
- Developing / maintaining expertise.
Benefits
Being part of the Civil Service entitles you to a wide range of fantastic benefits. Including flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave allowance and attractive pension options. More specific to VCA, employees can benefit from childcare vouchers and have access to cycle to work and Tech schemes.
If you would like to read more about VCA and the benefits of working for us, visit our Careers Website!
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
We value a fair and thorough selection process to identify the most suitable candidate for this exciting opportunity. Our 3-stage selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant’s qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
Stage 1: Initial Experience-Based Sift
In this stage, we carefully review all applications to shortlist candidates who meet the essential criteria and possess the necessary qualifications and experience for the role.
Our aim is to identify candidates whose relevant experience aligns with the specific requirements of the position.
Stage 2: Online Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview, conducted via video conferencing platforms Microsoft Teams.
Stage 3: In-Person Assessment
The final stage involves an in-person assessment, where selected candidates will be invited to visit one of our premises.
Merit List
Please note that candidates placed on the merit list will be considered for suitable positions as they arise. Being on the merit list may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role of Homologation Engineer, including positions such as Regulatory Engineer in the Regulatory and Technology Group or Compliance Engineer in the Conformity of Production Department.
How to Apply
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
For your CV and personal statement, please tailor the evidence of your experience against the following criteria. Be sure to address the three points in your personal statement, using up to 1000 words.
- Experience of working in an engineering capacity, following procedures and understanding regulations or standards.
- Experience of Analysing data or documents and reporting on findings.
- Experience of Delivering outcomes on time and to a high standard.
Sift and Interview
The sift is due to take place from 2nd October 2023.
Interviews are likely to be held from 16th October 2023.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An Interview and written exercise
This interview will be conducted face to face. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
Youre encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
You will be assessed against the Government Science and Engineering Career Framework, which you can find here.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Please note that VCA are unable to offer VISA sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Douglas Morris
- Email : douglas.morris@vca.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DFTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
