SDA Chief Engineer - Submarine Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK's nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence., We have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Engineering Manager to join the Submarine Disposal & Devonport Infrastructure (SDDI) Team as the Chief Engineer. The SDDI team has evolved since its inception in 2021 and will see many of its project's transition from design into delivery in the coming years.

You will be accountable to the Head of SDDI, as the SDDI Chief Engineer you will lead the strategic direction and delivery of the engineering aspects of the SDDI portfolio by bringing together their technological problem-solving and management abilities to oversee and assure multi-organisational and multi-disciplinary projects.

The role is Senior Safety Responsibility (SSR), and you will need to complete an SSR assessment in line with SDA procedures if successful. You will also act as the Platform Authority and Naval Reactor Plant Authorisee (NRPA) Duty Holder Representative for the submarines that have been decommissioned and are planned for disposal.

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be 60% or more) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role. Adhoc travel to other SDA sites in the UK will be required.

What you'll be doing

• Responsible for the engineering decisions made within the SDDI portfolio. This will include being the Platform Authority and Duty Holder representative for Submarines awaiting disposal.


• Responsible for the governance and assurance of the safe & professional operation of the SDDI portfolio. This includes authority to stop activity where they believe it to be unsafe and lead the Integrated Plant and Site Justification (IPSJ) initiative delivery.


• Lead, manage and integrate multi-disciplined engineering teams. Integrate and direct solution development, tailor and apply engineering tools, processes and approaches to develop innovative and creative solutions to customer requirements.


• Provide support and challenge SDDI Projects by conducting peer reviews, design/safety reviews and/or conducting project reviews.


• Growing and sustaining nuclear infrastructure skills within the SDDI portfolio and sharing learnings with the wider SDA., Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.


• Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills


Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

3. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Offering at a lower level
If you're not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you'll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you'll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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.


• At least 5 years' engineering leadership experience in an appropriate "high hazard" industry


• Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body, with means to achieve Chartership within 2 years.


• Demonstrable ability to drive improvement in complex engineering projects and the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.


It will also benefit your application if you are able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Experience working in civil or defence nuclear, decommissioning or submarine programme.


In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• EFCF 4 Technical Decision Making Expert


• EFCF 5 Technical Risk Management Expert


• Leadership CSBC4


• Communicating and Influencing CSBC4
  
  £73,800 - £80,000

per annum (pro rata), plus generous benefits and an average 27% employer pension contribution. Existing civil servants should refer to the Further Information document for salary details.
A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%, Here you'll find a community to belong to - whether that's alongside project teams with a shared vision or as part of an employee network of like-minded individuals. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives, together we'll achieve the extraordinary.

Discover more about our work:

We offer 25+ days' holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 27%, to help make work work for you.

For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A 'sole UK national' refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We're unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. If it isn't obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn't obtained within 12 months., Alongside your salary of £73,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £19,926 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days' annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King's birthday


• Flexible and hybrid working options


• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%


• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards


• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications


• Support for progression


• Huge range of discounts


• Volunteering days


• Enhanced parental leave schemes


Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you're looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you'll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

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