Operational Analyst Lightning Weapons

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional candidate to contribute to the future of F-35 Operational Test (OT) at an international level, demonstrating the value and expertise of UK MOD analysts. This MOD SEO post offers an opportunity for someone with substantial defence knowledge, strong technical and leadership skills, and previous experience in test & evaluation (T&E), to work in a dynamic, international military test environment and make a tangible difference to UK and Coalition capability at a time of significant global tension.

The Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) Operational Research Branch (ORB) is the provider of impartial scientific analysis support to Air Command and Front Line units on matters relating to current and future operational capability. The ORB team of civilian analysts and test specialists provide vital evidence to support decision making within Front Line squadrons, Test and Evaluation Squadrons (TES), deployed Air Component Headquarters, and Air Command.

The UK and Australia recently signed a new 10-year agreement with the US to collaborate on the Follow-on Operational Test & Evaluation (FOT&E) of all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft in active service. As part of this agreement, a small number of ASWC ORB analysts are embedded within the United Operational Test Team (UOTT) alongside US, UK and Australian military personnel, US and UK government civilians, and US contractors. The UOTT is charged with evaluating the operational effectiveness (i.e. lethality, survivability, and interoperability) of the F-35 across a variety of challenging mission sets.

As well as supporting F-35 effectiveness assessments by the UOTT, this small team of ASWC ORB analysts also provides direct support to UK-unique test activity conducted by 17 Test & Evaluation Squadron (17TES), the UK’s dedicated F-35B Operational Test Squadron.

The successful candidate will have direct influence within the multi-national, multi-billion dollar F-35 programme (the world’s largest ever defence programme) and ensure the UK Lightning Force remains fully informed on the strengths and limitations of this advanced air system. Your work in this role will have a direct impact on the operational effectiveness of UK Combat Air power in the most hostile of environments.

Job description

The successful candidate will be expected to take on the influential role of 17TES Lead Analyst, and as such will be expected to:

• Provide strong technical leadership on analysis techniques and experimental design, ensuring tests are adequate, scientifically robust and cost effective.
• Assist with test execution, trial validation assessments, and reporting of deficiencies.
• Provide clear direction on matters relating to data collection, processing, and analysis, including modelling & simulation.
• Ensure technical rigour is fully incorporated into all test plans, procedures, and reports, and that all findings are clearly conveyed and evidence-based.
• Provide day-to-day mentoring and tasking of a multi-disciplinary analyst team of varying ability.
• Build strong working relationships with UK, US and AUS colleagues to ensure UK test requirements are incorporated wherever practicable and UK influence and access in the F-35 programme is maintained.
• Conduct occasional detached duty travel within the US and UK (ranging from a few days to around three weeks) in support of test events, planning conferences, and training courses.

This post is currently based at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California but could also be based within the UOTT headquarters at Nellis AFB in Nevada. The pros and cons of each will be discussed with the successful candidate in greater depth before a final decision is reached on posting location.

In the UK role of ‘Operational Analyst - Lightning Weapons', the successful candidate is also expected to work closely with 17TES to provide rigorous analysis support to UK-funded flight trials, in order to independently assess and assure the capabilities being fielded by the UK Lightning Force.

• Develop a working knowledge of existing UK Lightning offensive capabilities.
• Apply sound scientific practices to test design, using the most appropriate analytical and statistical techniques, in order to aid the planning of flight test points and provide scientifically robust analysis products for each trial.
• Work with aircraft manufacturers and US test range personnel as necessary to identify reliable data sources and measures of performance.
• Provide scientific advice during execution of test events, including minimum assets (go/no go criteria), control room procedures, test flow, etc.
• Develop and maintain innovative data processing and analysis toolsets, liaising with other US and UK organisations to exploit pre-existing tools and/or data.
• Manage and manipulate large quantities of trials data using appropriate statistical techniques.
• Interview pilots and review cockpit video during mission debriefs to capture subjective and qualitative data.
• Summarise trial results and explain key findings in a clear and concise manner, both in written and verbal form.

This post currently has no Line Management responsibilities and reports directly to the 17TES Scientific Adviser (MOD Grade 7).

Please note that while this position is considered ‘permanent’, this overseas posting is for a three-year tour. It may be possible to later extend this to a maximum of five years in the same role, subject to operational requirements.

This is a reserved post requiring DV clearance, so please check the eligibility requirements.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

We would love to hear from you if you meet the following:

Essential criteria

• Direct experience in the Test & Evaluation of complex systems.
• Direct experience of Modelling & Simulation, including interpretation of outputs and model verification & validation.
• Wide experience conducting OR using a range of methods and tools.
• Experience in the application of scientific and/or analytical techniques to solving real world problems.
• Direct experience of the management, manipulation, and analysis of large data sets.
• Experience of clearly communicating analytical results to a range of technical and non-technical audiences, through reports and presentations.
• Experience of leading a team or project.
• Experience working with classified information.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to code data processing tools using Matlab, Python, VBA, or other computing language.
• Knowledge and experience of the MOD and Defence environment, especially in Combat Air concepts and doctrine.
• Experience of trials conduct/trials management.
• Experience in the Test & Evaluation of air systems, including flight test and/or synthetic environments.
• Experience of using advanced statistical techniques.
• Experience working in a Special Access Programs (SAP) environment.

Please read the attached ‘SOFA Restrictions’ document to confirm you are eligible to apply for this post.

U.S (United States). visa law does not recognise common-law relationships. Where only a tourist Visa is given by USA immigration, we are unable to accept the partner as ‘officially recognised’ and the employee is classed as unaccompanied for the overseas tour. This is in line with the current policy which states that whilst we might recognise SOWER status, we are still bound by the host countries VISA requirements, and we can only support the partner if a full VISA is provided not a tourist VISA.

Due to some of the remote locations you will be expected to work, a valid UK Driving License is essential.

Licences

Driver License

Qualifications

Scientific or other numerical degree. Evidence will be required at interview. All qualifications, licences or memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalents will not be accepted.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques.
• Achieving impact with analysis

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 (opens in a new window).

Holiday Entitlement of 25 days of annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year of seniority as a Civil Servant (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year. MoD recognises the diverse religious origins within its workforce and seeks to accommodate individual leave requirements.

Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year (please note that US visa rules would require any voluntary work to be fulfilled in the UK).

Flexible Working - Full time staff will work 37 hours a week but have some flexibility of when they complete these hours, subject to operational requirements. Part time working and job sharing is not possible for this post. Hybrid working is permitted but a minimum of 60% of office attendance per week is expected, and the classified nature of the work makes working from home largely impractical.

Learning & Development - MoD aims to provide each of its civilian staff with 5 days per year of Learning & Development (L&D) tailored to your role, delivered through a combination of high-quality training courses and informal opportunities.

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.

This overseas post attracts additional benefits subject to status including:

• Shipping and UK storage of some personal effects as part of the overseas relocation package.
• An Overseas Transfer Grant.
• Overseas Rent Allowance and payment of basic utilities for the duration of the tour.
• Cost of Living Allowance, to account for higher living costs in the US.
• Defence medical insurance providing equivalent US healthcare entitlement to that provided by UK NHS.

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

This post offers full relocation allowances subject to availability. Cost of Living Overseas Allowances is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status.

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.

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.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be sifted using all provided information within approximately two weeks of the vacancy closing. Successful candidates will then be invited to an interview in subsequent weeks where their experience, behaviours and technical ability will be examined further. All interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Please note that if offered the position, this is conditional on passing subsequent health and security checks, followed by a four-month posting process before you will be expected to fly to the US and take up the post.

Sift scores will be provided to all candidates, but verbal feedback will only be provided to candidates who reach the interview stage.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so if at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance, please reach out to the vacancy Point of Contact.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

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.

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 mitigation's can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

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

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.

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 developed vetting (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 : Stuart Wragg
• Email : Stuart.Wragg824@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam1@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.

All broader banded (Band AA – G6) and skill zone employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period effective from the employment start date.

Any move to Ministry of Defence 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/

Complaints

Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS does not play any part in the selection and interview process itself.

Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.

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, using the following options:

Emailing the DBS Complaints Team: dbs-complaints@mod.gov.uk

Calling the DBS Enquiry Centre: 0800 345 7772

We recommend using the above channels to raise all complaints relating to the level of service provided to you by DBS.

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

Cabinet Office Fraud Checks

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1.

If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Please see the MOD Privacy Policy Notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

Optima Health conducts pre-employment health assessments on behalf of the MOD and may contact you in respect of your application on the contact details you provide, should an offer of employment be made. Optima Health’s Privacy notice describes how your personal data may be processed for those purposes.

Attachments

20230201 - Air Command's Applicant Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 499kB)GORS_Technical_Framework_2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 545kB)SOFA Restrictions Opens in new window (pdf, 105kB)Ministry of Defence – Revised Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) Opens in new window (pdf, 298kB)