Military Aviation Authority – Avionics and Armament Certification Engineer

Job summary

This role is an exciting opportunity for an Avionics (seeking to broaden their skills into Armament) engineer within the Certification Division (Cert Div) seeking to ignite their career in the Aviation environment. We’re responsible for developing the regulation for, and undertaking certification of, all new military Air Systems and major changes to type designs as defined by regulation. Our extensive portfolio covers fast jets, helicopters and large aircraft through to uncrewed/remotely piloted air systems (UAS/RPAS) and Air Traffic Equipment. You’ll have the opportunity to support Certification projects which often make use of innovative technology, and we’re responsible for making sure they’re developing air systems to recognised standards.

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

You’ll lead on the scheduling, reviewing and subsequent reporting of avionics and armament systems submissions and activities.

You’ll evaluate compliance with the associated MAA Regulations and Aircraft Design Standards, focusing on the application of design processes and ensuring they lead to the development of an Air System that is safe to operate. You’ll be responsible for producing reports, issuing findings, maintaining records, engaging with stakeholders, and briefing senior management to ensure the best outcomes for Defence. If necessary, you will manage any enforcement action for those issues that pose significant risks.

You’ll inevitably develop and sustain an expert level knowledge of the Defence Air Environment, relevant policies and regulations and be able to share this knowledge or give guidance to colleagues within the MAA and across the Department. You’ll also be able to directly see the application of modern technology within innovative development projects and help craft the future regulations to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

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.

Person specification

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• Providing certification assurance of avionics and armament systems in UK military registered Air Systems.
• Providing advice to airworthiness process owners on avionics and armament system issues relating to integrity management.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the MAA to ensure coherent, effective, and appropriate delivery of assurance and related services.
• Engaging in the development and review of MAA regulation and policy, influencing changes to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose and reflect advances in technology and design practices.
• Supporting the overall outputs of the team, including those of the wider MAA, to improve the delivery of our services across Defence.

Experience

The ideal applicant should have an engineering background within the avionics subject area with the ability and willingness to learn the armament elements if required. Prior Certification experience is desirable, though tailored training is available as required.

The post is restricted to sole UK Nationals only.

Essential

Achieved HND or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline with experience in the avionic field, or hold a BSc/BEng Hons in a relevant discipline, or suitable Experience, with the expectation of becoming qualified.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• •Airworthiness ACS001 Core Function (Supervised Practitioner)
• •Engineering Aerospace AEFC2.3 (Awareness)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

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.

Please Note: 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, Experience and Technical skills.

The selection process for this role will use Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

You’ll need to submit a CV that details your career history, qualifications, key achievements and skills, and a personal statement (no longer than 500 words).

Your application will be sifted by a panel who’ll review your CV, experience and personal statement to identify if you match the role requirements. If you’re successful at sift, we will invite you to an interview on a date to be agreed.

At interview you will be assessed against the following -

Behaviours -

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical Skills -

• Airworthiness ACS001 Core Function (Supervised Practitioner)

Airworthiness Competence Set (publishing.service.gov.uk)

• Engineering Aerospace AEFC2.3 (Awareness)

Engineering Aerospace Functional Competence Framework (sharepoint.com)

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 : Jim Morris
• Email : jim.morris426@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)Airworthiness_Competence_Set Opens in new window (pdf, 397kB)Engineering_Aerospace Opens in new window (pdf, 425kB)