Navy Command - NBC (Devonport), Design Authority Engineering Head

Job summary

Devonport Naval Base is the largest Naval Base in Europe. It is a 650 acre site with 15,000 acres of water space, employing 12,000 people on site. The Base is primarily focused on delivering timely deep maintenance to the UK’s submarine fleet. It is also the operating home base for frigates, amphibious Ships, Royal Marines. It employs more than 10% of Plymouth’s workforce and contributes to 14% of Plymouth’s economy.

Devonport Naval Base is the nerve centre for the Royal Navy in the South West. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, submarines, people, and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. Its mission is to meet the support and operating requirements for the Naval Service and UK’s allies, from the South West, reaching worldwide.

The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. Navy Command provides an open, flexible and supportive work environment and Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines from Engineering; finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning, operations and managing contracts, to media and communications.

The MOD provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills through personal development and offers flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and a very competitive pension scheme.

In Navy Command we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, food outlets and a handy shop.

Reasonable Adjustment

To ensure that no one is put at a disadvantage during the recruitment process due to disability, condition or impairment, our intent is to reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate both during this recruitment process and in the role once a suitable candidate has been appointed. Therefore, feel free to discuss any reasonable adjustment with the recruiting manager during the process.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Flexible working is available by agreement with the line manager, however the expectation is 60% presence in office per week.

Job description

To lead the engineering team that keeps the Naval Base’s most critical nuclear assets safe, compliant, and ready for the future. As the Engineering Head, you will be the Design Authority champion, ensuring every Nuclear Safety Related asset is supported, maintained, and operated in line with its design intent.

You will own the key nuclear safety design artefacts and site governance including Design Substantiation, Concession & Change processes, Asset Registers, maintenance schedules, AC Compliance Statements and Nuclear Business Procedures.

Leadership responsibilities;

• Chair the Nuclear Engineering Safety Committee (NESC) and the Design Authority Committee (DAC).
• Assess nuclear safety impacts for upgrades, modifications, and decommissioning of complex submarine and facility infrastructure.
• Define and approve Nuclear Safety System Engineering requirements, risk assessments and method statements through to commissioning and final acceptance.
• Shape current and future infrastructure needs, prioritising safety improvements alongside Facility Operators and Safety Case demands.

Strategic Influence

• Provide authoritative Design Authority and maintenance guidance to the Naval Base Management Safety Committee and Devonport cross-site groups.
• Act as an Intelligent Customer for services provided by Industry partners and drive high‑quality safety documentation across the Naval Base.
• Steer nuclear safety case changes, commissioning strategies, and maintenance schedules to ensure robust, auditable compliance.

Collaboration & Integration

• Build strong interfaces with Babcock licence‑site services managers and wider stakeholders to ensure seamless nuclear infrastructure performance and alignment.

Person specification

To be considered for this role you will possess:

• A broad working knowledge of engineering design and maintenance within a high hazard industrial context.
• Experience of managing and delivering projects and programmes.
• An excellent level of stakeholder management and communication skills at a senior level.
• An ability to act as the independent subject matter expert/practitioner to challenge delivery teams and industry partners on best practice, acceptable and proportionate means of compliance, continuous improvement and risk analysis and mitigation techniques.

Qualifications

Level 6 Qualification in Engineering or relevant science subject, or
Chartered Engineer, or
Demonstrable level of qualifications and experience to become a Chartered Engineer within 2 years at the recruiting managers discretion. E.g. Level 4 Engineering Qualification or above, with significant experience and an Institute endorsed plan to obtain chartership.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Nuclear Safety and Security: 1.3 (L2) – Nuclear Safety Cases
• Concept, Assessment and Design of Nuclear Systems and Infrastructure: 4.4 (L2) – Nuclear infrastructure concept, assessment, design, modification and life extension
• In-service, Support and Maintenance of Nuclear Systems and Infrastructure6.1 (L2) – Naval reactor plant and supporting infrastructure maintenance

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 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%
• 25 days annual leave on joining, which increases to a maximum of 30 days after 5 years

Please Note:

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. 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 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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

Candidates will also be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Word count)

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

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Making effective decisions

Technical Skills:

• Nuclear Safety and Security: 1.3 (L2) – Nuclear Safety Cases
• Concept, Assessment and Design of Nuclear Systems and Infrastructure: 4.4 (L2) – Nuclear infrastructure concept, assessment, design, modification and life extension
• In-service, Support and Maintenance of Nuclear Systems and Infrastructure: 6.1 (L2) – Naval reactor plant and supporting infrastructure maintenance

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Making effective decisions

Technical Skills:

• Nuclear Safety and Security: 1.3 (L2) – Nuclear Safety Cases
• Concept, Assessment and Design of Nuclear Systems and Infrastructure: 4.4 (L2) – Nuclear infrastructure concept, assessment, design, modification and life extension
• In-service, Support and Maintenance of Nuclear Systems and Infrastructure: 6.1 (L2) – Naval reactor plant and supporting infrastructure maintenance

Further information:

Interview to be held at HMNB Devonport, dates TBC.

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 : Richard Hoare
• Email : Richard.hoare451@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 07900640982

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

Nuclear_Competence_Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 1752kB)NSQEP Advert Guidlines Opens in new window (pdf, 2013kB)Navy candidate information pack Opens in new window (pdf, 2922kB)Defence Civil Servant Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)