Armourer

Job summary

The Civil Service Armourer (Skill Zone 4) is a safety-critical engineering role responsible for delivering first-line armourer support within a high-readiness defence environment. Operating as the civilian equivalent of a Class 1 Weapon Technician, the post holder inspects, maintains and repairs a diverse and technically complex range of military and non-service pattern weapon systems, ensuring they remain safe, compliant and task-worthy at all times.

Working within a small, specialist armoury team, the role requires independent fault diagnosis, rectification and implementation of authorised modifications in accordance with MOD policy and Land Equipment Engineering standards. The post holder is expected to apply sound engineering judgement, uphold exacting standards of workmanship and maintain full compliance with legislative, safety and assurance requirements.

In addition to hands-on maintenance activity, the role contributes to engineering governance and accountability. This includes maintaining accurate weapon records and database management systems, supporting Mandatory Equipment Inspection programmes, ensuring correct documentation, and sustaining complete equipment schedules and specialist tooling to directed readiness states. The post holder plays a key role in protecting the Duty Holder by identifying risk, challenging poor practice where necessary, and promoting safe systems of work.

The position also supports operational and training activity through the provision of mobile armourer cover and range support where practicable. The post holder must therefore be adaptable, organised and capable of working to demanding timelines without compromising safety or compliance.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a professional, technically focused environment where precision, reliability and integrity are essential. It suits an experienced practitioner who takes pride in high standards, values teamwork, and is motivated by delivering engineering outputs that directly contribute to operational effectiveness. Continuous professional development and mandatory learning are integral to the post, ensuring the individual remains current, competent and confident in a dynamic defence setting.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Due to the nature of the role, part time and job share arrangements may be considered, subject to the requirement that full-time hours are fully covered. Or business needs are met.

Job description

The Civil Service Armourer will deliver first-line inspection, maintenance and repair of military and non-service pattern weapon systems held at unit level. The role operates within a small specialist engineering team and requires independent working, sound judgement and strict adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

The main goals of the role are to:

Inspect, diagnose and repair faults on a range of weapon systems to ensure they remain safe, compliant and available for training and operational use.

• Carry out scheduled inspections and servicing in accordance with mandated engineering policy, manufacturer guidance and statutory requirements.
• Implement authorised modifications and improvements as directed.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, repairs and equipment status using approved database systems.
• Ensure all documentation relating to weapon maintenance, accounting and inspection is completed correctly and on time.
• Maintain complete equipment schedules and specialist tools, ensuring equipment is accounted for and held at the required readiness state.
• Apply safe systems of work at all times, identifying hazards, challenging unsafe practice where necessary and escalating engineering or compliance concerns appropriately.
• Provide mobile armourer support and range cover for training activities where required.
• Support audits, inspections and assurance activity by providing clear technical information and evidence of compliance.
• Work collaboratively within a mixed military and civilian team, communicating technical information clearly to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Undertake mandatory learning and role-specific training to maintain professional competence and technical currency.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and are not intended to be exhaustive. The Job Holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level as necessary. All Job Holders are required to complete and remain in-date for mandatory learning and are expected to undertake any identified role-specific training.

Person specification

We are seeking an experienced and confident armourer or weapon technician who can operate independently within a safety-critical engineering environment.

Essential Criteria:

The successful candidate will be required to meet one of the following qualification and experience routes:

• Minimum of 1 year’s relevant experience handling, disassembling and assembling weapon systems, supported by a Level 3 Engineering qualification

OR

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience handling, disassembling and assembling weapon systems, supported by Level 2 Mathematics (Functional Skills, GCSE Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent).

In addition, you must be able to evidence:

• Proven experience inspecting, maintaining and fault diagnosing mechanical or weapon systems.
• Strong understanding of safety procedures, engineering standards and the importance of compliance.
• Ability to work independently, make sound technical decisions and recognise when to escalate concerns.
• Experience maintaining accurate technical records and documentation.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a small team.
• Competence using standard workshop tools and equipment.
• Confidence in using Microsoft Office to maintain records and reports.

Desirable Criteria:

• Higher level engineering qualification.
• Experience working within a defence, policing or other high-readiness environment.
• Experience supporting training activity or range environments.
• Experience contributing to audits, inspections or engineering assurance activity.

Qualifications

A min of 1 year experience and a level 3 engineering qualification.
Level 3 Qualifications Include
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Engineering.
or
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering.
or
• T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing.
or
• NVQ Level 3 in Engineering.
or
• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering.
or
• OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 in Engineering.
or
• Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
or
• Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding.
or
• Level 3 Diploma in Metalwork and Machining.
or
• Level 3 Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering.
or
• A-Level Engineering.
or
• A-Level Design and Technology.
or
• Access to HE Diploma (Engineering).
or
• Scottish Highers in Engineering Science.
or
• International Baccalaureate with Engineering subject.
or
• Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Engineering.
or
• Any other Level 3 Engineering qualification not mentioned above, with proof of completion.
or
• Any other Level 3 Engineering qualification not mentioned above, with proof of completion.

OR

The candidate must be competent, current and confident with handling, disassembling, and assembling weapons systems, with a min of 3 years’ experience and Level 2 maths, this includes:
•Level 2 Functional Skills pass.
Or
•Grade C or above at GCSE maths.
Or
•Grade C or above at O level maths.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,572 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• An environment with possible flexible working options
• Professional and Personal Development of skills; access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MoD
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon 5 years’ service in addition to 8 public holidays plus a privilege day for the Sovereign’s birthday; enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing

The Command Team within Hamworthy Barracks acknowledge that this is a demanding work environment and our aim is to provide a great work-life balance. The Unit offers a range of onsite facilities with gymnasium, swimming pool, Community Centre, convenience shop, food outlets and limited on-site parking.

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.

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.

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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

All CS recruitment uses Success Profiles, to enable a fair and inclusive method by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (750 Word count)

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following:

• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Working Together

In the event of a large number of applications, the sift may be carried out on the statement of suitability only. The desirable criteria of ’ Experience contributing to audits, inspections or engineering assurance activity’ will be used to differentiate between candidates when all essential criteria have been met.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

Experience-based questions, expected to present a 5-10 minute Oral Assessment and to provide relevant references (detail oral assessment and of reference requirement will be included in interview invitation).

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see - or those you can’t.

From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today and prepare for tomorrow.

CSOC unites Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force - acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command. For more information, please see here.’

Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to design the way in which the new Military Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, posts within CSOC are/or may become subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruiting Line Manager
• Email : MAB6-Recruiting@mod.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

Candidate Information 2025 Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)Revised Terms and Conditions of Service Opens in new window (docx, 48kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)CSOC Candidate Pack 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 1777kB)