Navy Command – Senior Systems Engineer

HMNB Clyde Falsane Hybrid working (a blend of working in the workplace and from home) is encouraged. You should expect to work 2 days a week in Faslane in agreement with your Line Manager.

His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (HMNB Clyde) is home to the United Kingdom’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent, Astute Class Attack Submarines, Sandown Class Mine Hunter Vessels and 43 Cdo Royal Marines. It is an operational support and maintenance base, within the Navy Command TLB and comprises both Faslane and Coulport sites. HMNB Clyde’s primary purpose is to provide engineering and logistical support to the Royal Navy in maintaining Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD). This is achieved by ensuring at least one Vanguard Class submarine is on patrol at sea every day of the year.

RNAD Coulport is responsible for the storage, processing, maintenance and issue of the Trident Weapon System and the ammunitioning of all submarine-embarked tactical weapons.

The Systems Engineering section consists of a team of multidisciplinary engineers who are responsible for ensuring that the infrastructure maintenance conducted by an Industry Partner complies with set requirements. In this post you will have the opportunity to develop valuable skills and experience working in a high hazard/high consequence low frequency environment whilst playing a key role in supporting defence outputs.

To hear from a range of Engineers on their positive career experiences in the Ministry of Defence, and how we champion all forms of diversity in our community please follow the link – Defence Engineers – Give it all you are

VAdm Paul Marshall CBE (Defence Head of Profession Engineering) in discussion with Dr Bethany Hickton regarding perceptions of Defence Engineers. My Lived Experience as a Civilian Defence Engineer

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

As a Senior Systems Engineer you will be responsible for conducting independent inspections of infrastructure maintenance conducted by an Industry Partner. This includes:

• Checking to confirm work is scheduled in accordance with safety case and design requirements
• Checking that the work control system accurately reflects the status of the maintenance activity
• Checking that the maintenance procedure has been followed adequately
• Inspection of maintenance work (during and post event)
• Checking that corrective actions have raised
• Checking that the maintenance activity has been undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced personnel (including control and supervision aspects)
• Checking that an adequate record has been created and stored accordingly

Where shortfalls in the above are identified, you will:

• Prepare inspection reports detailing findings
• Provide provisional classification of findings in accordance with guidance documentation
• Work with the Industry Partner to further understand and verify the accuracy of the findings
• Present your findings to an Authorisation Group for further action

Additionally, you will also be required to:

• Develop and maintain the Systems Engineer safety management arrangements
• Prepare and manage the Systems Engineer programme of works
• Approve the classification of maintenance findings
• Review and approve Systems Engineer reports produced by others
• Prepare and present Systems Engineer performance reports for executive boards
• Support colleagues to develop engineering and nuclear competence

We are looking to hear from engineers who has experience in the specification or conduct of infrastructure maintenance.

The post holder must have strong communication and influencing skills to work collaboratively with our Industry Partner to resolve issues.

Previous experience of working in a high hazard industry is preferable but not considered essential.

HND or equivalent in an appropriate engineering discipline.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Nuc 1.1 – Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security Culture (at Level 1)
• Nuc 1.2 – Nuclear Safety/Nuclear Security Management Systems (at Level 1)
• Nuc 6.1 – Naval Reactor Plant and Supporting Infrastructure Maintenance (at Level 2)

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes
£11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As a Civil Servant, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (the permanent duty station, HMNB Clyde), which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/ life balance. Other benefits for Navy Command Civil Servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• A very competitive pension scheme
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative & Hybrid 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
• On-site Facilities (gymnasium, Ski Club, recreational shopping mall, café, messing facilities etc)
• Free Car Parking
• Assisted Travel Scheme

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

This post may be eligible for the NSQEP Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £12,000 per annum. This allowance is discretionary and will be dependent on a candidate’s ability to successfully demonstrate the necessary competency, qualifications, and experience to an independent panel of Subject Matter Experts.   

First Appointment Expenses (FAE): This post offers First Appointment Expenses to new recruits to the Civil Service to assist with costs incurred as a result of relocation or move of home (HM Revenue and Customs restrictions apply).  Reimbursement of expenses up to the value of £8k will apply only when a move of home is deemed to be necessary.

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.  

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Open to UK nationals only.

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

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Job contact :

• Name : Jonathan Wan
• Email : jonathan.wan101@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk