Manual of Airworthiness Maintenance Desk Officer

Job summary

This role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer to influence the changing shape of military aviation regulations. If you have experience of maintenance processes, like working with a small dedicated a team and are keen to deliver timely and innovative regulatory updates then we look forward to hearing from you.

We’ll provide you with the necessary training so that you can effectively undertake your responsibilities. We’ll also give you the appropriate authority and latitude to deliver your objectives, remaining accountable to the Head of Branch for delivery.

We also offer excellent personal and professional development opportunities and have a vibrant social and entertainments programme throughout the year!

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Regulatory Engineer to lead the management and continuous development of key MAA Regulatory Publications within the Continuing Airworthiness Engineering (CAE) portfolio. This includes responsibility for the 4000–4700 series Regulatory Articles—commonly known as the Military Deltas—alongside the Manual of Airworthiness Maintenance (MAM).

This role sits at the heart of Continuing Airworthiness Engineering regulation, underpinning both Preventive and Corrective Maintenance standards that directly contribute to airworthiness and aviation safety across the Defence Aviation Environment. You will provide authoritative regulatory advice, technical leadership, and strategic direction for regulations that govern Maintenance activities, Logistic Information Systems, and Electronic Documentation, ensuring they remain coherent, contemporary and aligned with evolving civilian and military aviation regulations.

You will act as the focal point for all regulatory activity in this Area of Responsibility (AoR), ensuring regulations remain authoritative, coherent and aligned with evolving civilian and military aviation standards. You will also contribute directly to the MAA’s wider regulatory programme, collaborating across Front Line Commands, Operating Centres, specialist support areas and the Regulated Community.

This post carries line management responsibilities and delegated authority to represent the MAA at high‑level forums, working groups and conferences, influencing policy and contributing to the future direction of Defence Aviation Environment regulation.

How does the MAA fit into Defence?

The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence Health, Safety and Environmental Protection, operating under a Charter from the Secretary of State for Defence (SofS). The DSA provides independent assurance, directly to the SofS, that the law is complied with and the policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented whilst Defence activities are conducted. This regulation is achieved through proportional and appropriate evidence-based assessment of the activity that supports Defence’s operational imperatives. The DSA hosts Defence safety regulators across all operating environments, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch and a HQ into a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer.

Part of the DSA, the MAA is the organization responsible for the regulation, surveillance, inspection and assurance of the Defence Air operating and technical domains. It ensures the safe design and use of military air systems. As the single regulatory 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 of military aviation, the MAA aims to provide the SofS, through Director General DSA, the necessary assurance that appropriate standards of Air Safety are maintained in delivering operational capability.

Person specification

Responsibilities:

Your key responsibilities for your AoR will include:

Regulatory Development & Management
• Monitor and assess emerging civilian Continuing Airworthiness Engineering regulations relevant to the AoR, informing updates to MRP MAM, LIS and Electronic Documentation regulations.
• Generate new CAE regulation, including drafting Regulations, Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, in consultation with Front Line Commands, Operating Centres, and associated agencies.
• Review and process AoR submissions for Alternative Acceptable Means of Compliance (AAMC), Waivers, Extensions, and Requests for Change.
• Maintain, refine and continuously improve AoR regulations using insight from AAMC/Waiver activity, international regulation, and stakeholder feedback.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
• Act as the primary MAA focal point for the MAM‑P Management Group Meeting, providing expert regulatory advice on compliance and future regulatory intent.
• Manage all communication with the Regulated Community to meet MAA Regulation Division KPIs, ensuring clarity, accessibility and timely dissemination of regulatory changes.
• Provide structured opportunities for feedback prior to the release of regulatory amendments.
• Liaise with Commands, specialist military/civilian support areas, training agencies and consultancy services, providing CAw advice.

Assurance & Collaboration
• Work closely with the Op Assure Continuing Airworthiness team to ensure audit findings are reflected in regulation and that AoR publications remain fit for purpose.
• When capacity allows, support short‑term collaborative tasks and projects across the Regulation Team and wider MAA.

Budget & Resource Governance
• Exercise control of the MAM‑D Printing budget for MOD Form 700 series and binders.
• Set, manage and agree the annual budget to meet Front-Line Command requirements for form availability and amendment.

Leadership & Line Management
• Line manage Reg‑MAMDa1 and Reg‑MAMDb, responsible for their welfare, discipline, performance, training and professional development.

Delegated Authority
• Represent MAA-Reg-Eng at conferences, steering groups, working groups, meetings and presentations, as directed.

Experience:

The ideal applicant should have an engineering background ideally within aviation engineering. A willingness to gain an understanding of risk management, project management, airworthiness responsibilities and regulation management is desirable.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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

• ​Generous Pension Scheme ​
• Flexi-time scheme ​
• Alternative working practices. Hybrid working will be supported on an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of expected attendance in the workplace (at permanent duty station) and working from home to meet business needs and with management approval. ​
• An environment with flexible working options including full-time, job share and part-time working patterns as standard, even at the most senior grades. ​
• 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​
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday ​
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave ​
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing ​
• Learning and development tailored to your role ​
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

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. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The DSA is strongly dedicated to promoting equal employment opportunity irrespective of your race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, civil status, sex, or gender identity. Applications are strongly encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, and we are actively working to establish a diverse workforce across the entire organization. We are delighted to announce that we are an Equal Opportunities Employer and that we recruit purely based upon the merit of each and every individual applicant. We pride ourselves on our commitment to ensure recruitment of the very best individuals and acquire a diverse and inclusive viewpoint to our decision making. We can assure you that we search for all types of talent and are striving to make sure that all social groups are successfully represented. We work diligently to eradicate any bias and safeguard every protected status and characteristic as lawfully required under the 2010 Equality Act. Our dedication to promoting diversity is clearly reflected across our organization and within our vision to foster an inclusive workforce. Defence harnesses the power of difference to deliver capability that safeguards 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.

Please note:

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 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.

Applications will be sifted on all Success Profile elements, but in the event of a high number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Behaviour - Managing a Quality Service.

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. (500 words)

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

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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 : Rachel Priest
• Email : rachel.priest811@mod.gov.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 Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)