
DE&S ROV Pilot Technician
Job summary
At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.
We offer 26.5+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 28.97%, to help work work for you.
Nationality, visas, and vetting: 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.
Join with SC clearance and obtain DV once in post: This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 10 years and obtain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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 DV security clearance can be a lengthy process. You’ll join us once Security Check (SC) clearance is obtained, and then the more enhanced DV checks will continue after you’ve started your employment. If SC clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months, we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made.
Job description
If you are excited by the prospect of working with industry leading subsea technology in a challenging environment, then this could be the ideal opportunity for you. The ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) team are looking for Pilot Technicians to join them as part of the wider SALMO (Salvage and Marine Operations) department.
The ROV Team delivers a discrete capability within SALMO using cutting edge commercial ROV technology to provide deep water salvage outputs in support of SALMO and wider MOD objectives. You will be responsible for ROV operations, mobilising, operating and maintaining SALMO work class ROV systems both offshore and onshore.
This SALMO role sits within a dedicated Skill Group alongside other engineering managers working within the technical discipline of SALMO. These specialists deliver the MOD’s provision of marine salvage and emergency response. They provide a centre of expertise for subsea activities and marine operations such as, salvage assistance to damaged surface vessels, location of aircraft on the sea-bottom, survey of wrecks, towage of warships and submarines, emergency response preparedness exercises and underwater engineering support to rectify defects on Navy platforms at home and overseas.
This role is operationally important and as such attracts allowances (SALMO Terms and Conditions) depending on the working situation the employee is undertaking at that time.
The role offers a good work life balance, only deploying at sea for a maximum of 120 days per year with the remaining time taken against leave, training and office-based activity at HMNB Devonport.
We champion a balanced approach to work at DE&S. When not offshore, regular in-person attendance in office is required for at least 3 days per week to foster the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, we also offer flexibility in hours to support a healthy work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site, the team, and your role.
What you’ll be doing
- Operating and maintaining ROV systems onshore and offshore
- Ensuring that the ROV systems are operational and available to conduct investigations, inspections and under-water interventions in accordance with the project deliverables and applicable regulations
- Ensure the SALMO ROV capability is operated in line with industry best practise
- Operating as a Senior Pilot Tech or shift supervisor when required
- Be prepared to work offshore for up to 120 days per year
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Have experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful engineering
outcomes in small scale task and projects; and
- Have a wide-ranging and relevant technical experience in subsea activities or marine operations; and
- Experience of managing marine operations with evidence of technical problem-solving and risk
Management; and
Hold (as minimum)
- IMCA accredited certification as an advanced ROV or AUV Pilot/Technician Grade I or a Survey
Engineer Grade I, or a recognised company equivalent, with at least 180 days of documented
offshore experience and a minimum of 100 hours operating an ROV or AUV at Grade II level. All
experience must be verifiable through a logbook
AND
- Be a Sole UK National
- Full UK Driving Licence
Be able to satisfy requirements of:
- 2-Yearly ENG1 Seafarers Medical (1)
- Be enlisted as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve (1)
- For recruitment purposes, external candidates do not need to hold these but must have no known reasons not to achieve this within 6 months of employment.
This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions.
For SALMO Retained Grade seeking promotion, please refer to Part 2, Section 10.2 of the SALMO Retained Grade Handbook.
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
- Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions CSBC 3
- Core Behaviour 2: Working Together CSBC 3
- Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Supervised Practitioner level
- Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions – Practitioner level
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £53,400, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,469 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.- Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days’ annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
- Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
- Access to specialist training and funded professional 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.
Further Information
- Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES_Candidate-Information-Pack
- SALMO Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/SALMO-Terms-and-Conditions
Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.
Disability Confident:
Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’
Conflicts of Interest:
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.
Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:
- 1st: Core Behaviour 1
- 2nd: Core Behaviour 2
- 3rd: Technical Competencies
- 4th: CV Review
In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment.
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
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:
- 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.
- 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.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email:DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission
Reserve Lists
Where a competition identifies more appointable candidates than there are available vacancies, a Reserve List may be created for other similar roles in the Civil Service. This may be used for up to 12 months to fill the same role or other similar roles with closely matching essential criteria without further testing of merit.
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 : Mike Ponsford
- Email : michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk
Attachments
20250527 Success Profile Behaviours 2025 document v1-O Opens in new window (pdf, 11MB)20250925-ECF V2.0 Opens in new window (pdf, 531kB)Salary range
- £53,400 per year