Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Apprentice

Job summary

• Are you interested in how science and technology help to support and protect the UK and partner nations?
• Are you looking for a rewarding career working in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives within defence science and technology?
• Do you want to be a member of a diverse community of scientists and engineers where you will feel motivated by the opportunities to develop your own learning and drive your own career?
• Are you looking for the opportunity to earn a wage, gain hands on experience whilst studying towards an industry recognised degree?

If so, then an Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives apprenticeship is for you. Now is an exciting time to join the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) as we look forward to shaping the future, by pushing the boundaries of technological advancements and new concepts. Driven by our core values collaboration, innovation and impact: we consistently challenge the norms, embrace diversity and reward creativity.

Your current situation:

You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, leaving the armed forces, looking for a career change, or not enjoying your current studies. No matter what your current situation is, if you are at least 18 years old you can join us as an apprentice.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this apprenticeship you will gain exposure to innovative technologies and seek to build an in-depth understanding of how Scientists and Engineers shape the future of defence and security.

During your apprenticeship you will be encouraged and supported to take ownership of your development through independent learning to realise your full potential.

This apprenticeship will consist of a mixture of academic learning through dedicated study periods and practical work at Dstl and our industry partners.

During the apprenticeship programme you will develop knowledge, skills and behaviours in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosive.

For more information on the OME apprenticeship, please see the candidate pack attached below.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has a genuine interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects. You will have the ability to work effectively within a team as well having the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.

You will be able to communicate effectively to a broad audience as well having the ability to learn and take direction and work independently, you will have problem solving skills and the desire to develop them further.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working outside in all weathers, Dstl will provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

For more information on the essential criteria for the OME Apprenticeship, please see the candidate pack attached below.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Qualifications

5 GCSE grade 4/C or above including Maths, English Language and Science (or equivalent)

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,640, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £7,717 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

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.

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 contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 13th April 2026 with interviews to be arranged from the 5th - 15th May 2026

Your interview will consist of behavioural & technical interview.

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.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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 : Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email : Dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.

Attachments

20260313_OME(L4)_Candidate_info_pack Opens in new window (pdf, 5944kB)