Military Aviation Authority – Design Approvals Assistant (C2/HEO) – 4 posts

Subject to MOD policy and annual review, some of these posts may attract a Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). Please note that these posts do not automatically receive the RRA as this is a discretionary allowance and the post holder must meet the eligibility criteria.

The Design Approved Organisation Scheme (DAOS) team provides the assurance of organisations involved in the design, development, and modification of equipment in the Defence Air Environment. We work with a diverse portfolio, ranging from fast jets and helicopters to uncrewed/remotely piloted air systems (UAS / RPAS). This also includes weapons, engines, and life-saving equipment. Our role is to ensure that these organisations adhere to the regulations and utilise recognised standards and practices whilst incorporating innovative technology.

Vacancies have recently arisen in the team due to staff successfully obtaining promotion and secondment opportunities. We are seeking individuals to join our dynamic team, offering exciting opportunities to work in the field of design assurance. These roles support the management of approximately 25 organisations located across the UK, USA, and Europe. You will assist in audits and assessments to ensure compliance with UK Military Regulations and the safe development of their equipment. We’ll provide the training to develop you into an Auditor, enabling you to carry out your responsibilities. You’ll also have the autonomy to deliver objectives while being accountable to your manager and the Head of Branch for the DAOS assurance plan.

We also provide excellent personal and professional development opportunities, and staff have the opportunity to join our vibrant social and entertainment program throughout the year!

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

As a Design Approvals Assistant, you will contribute to the planning, preparation, conduct, and delivery of assurance tasks. This will involve a combination of desktop reviews and on-site visits, requiring occasional travel to various locations in the UK and internationally. Your main focus will be evaluating organizations’ compliance with MAA Regulations (RA1000 and RA5000 Series) and assuring the use of design processes that lead to equipment that is safe to operate. You will generate audit reports, make recommendations, maintain assurance records, engage with counterparts, and provide briefings to internal management.

Additionally, the team review and provide recommendations on applications for deviations to regulations. Inevitably, team members develop expertise in the role, related to design processes, standards, policies, and regulations, and will be able to guide colleagues within the MAA and across Defence. You’ll have the opportunity to witness the application of the newest technology in innovative development projects and support crafting future regulations to ensure their effectiveness.

How does the MAA fit into Defence?

Part of the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), the MAA is the organization responsible for the regulation, surveillance, inspection, and assurance of Defence Aviation. We ensure the safe design and use of military Air Systems. As the single Authority responsible for regulating all aspects of Air Safety across Defence, the MAA has full oversight of all Defence aviation activity. Through independent audit and continuous surveillance, the MAA strives to provide the Director General DSA (DG DSA), the critical assurance that appropriate safety standards are being maintained, whilst delivering operational capability.

Responsibilities

• Planning, preparing, conducting, and reporting of DAOS Assurance activity, including audits.
• Managing a portfolio of approx. 25 Organizations, including updates to their Design Approvals.
• Leading directly on some of these Organizations to boost your development!
• Scrutinizing company documents and procedures to ensure safe and coherent design processes.
• Recommending resolutions to audit findings, agreeing these with the Organization leads and Industry personnel to bring about effective change to the design and development of their products.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the MAA to ensure coherent and effective delivery of outputs and related services.
• Engaging in the development and review of MAA regulations and policy, recommending changes to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose and reflect advances in technology and design practices.
• Supporting the overall outputs of the team (and the MAA), to improve the delivery of our services across Defence.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Alternative working patterns can be considered, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

• Engineering background within the design or development of military (or civil) aviation equipment is essential.
• The ability to achieve Professional Registration to Incorporated Engineer status is desirable.
• Auditing experience is not required, as this training will be provided.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Airworthiness Competence Set: Core Function: 1.1 to 1.5
• Airworthiness Competence Set: Core Function: 1.1 to 1.5

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.

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 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 by 31st December 2022. 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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days leave per year!
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• Flexi-time scheme (after 6 months)
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Hybrid working is supported on an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of expected attendance in the workplace (at MOD Abbey Wood North) and working from home to meet business needs and with management approval.

At the DSA, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer recruiting solely based on merit; we strive to eradicate bias and search for all types of talent. We work diligently to ensure every social group can feel included; our dedication to diversity is evident across our organization and reflects our vision of encouraging an inclusive workforce that harnesses the power of difference to safeguard our nation’s security and stability.

We’ll also ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request further information.

Job contact :

• Name : Arminder Sahota
• Email : DSA-MAA-Cert-DAOS@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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