Royal Navy – Machinery Trials Assessment Officer

Job summary

Are you an experienced engineer or ex-forces professional looking to apply your skills in a role that directly supports operational capability?

Maritime Capability Trials and Assurance (MCTA) is Navy Command’s independent equipment capability assurance organisation. Operating at the forefront of maritime engineering, MCTA delivers trials and assessment services that ensure Royal Navy platforms are safe, effective, and ready for operations worldwide.

This role offers a unique opportunity to transition your military or engineering experience into a Civil Service career while remaining closely connected to front-line capability. Working alongside a mix of military personnel and civil servants, you will contribute directly to the delivery of operational readiness across the fleet.

Within MCTA, the Machinery Trials and Assessment Unit (MTAU) conducts trials across new construction ships, platforms emerging from upkeep, and those in service. Covering vessels from aircraft carriers to landing craft, MTAU’s work spans propulsion, power generation and distribution, auxiliary systems, and hotel services—systems fundamental to ship capability and availability.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This role delivers the duties of an MCTA Machinery Trials Officer, including the maintenance of professional standards through training and development to deliver Operational Capability assessments. This needs to be supported by an ability to work independently along, and as part of a team (with good interpersonal skills that have been demonstrated in a team working environment). This is an exciting and rewarding role that also provides the opportunity for personal development and the ability to improve and progress your career.

Whilst based in Victory Building in Portsmouth, the role is required to visit other locations around the UK and on occasions abroad to conduct, manage and deliver specialist trials and assurance activities. Out of hours and weekend working including nights away at sea and in other locations can be expected.

Key tasks for this role:

On behalf of key stakeholders within Navy Command and the National Armaments Director Group (NADG) to provide capability assurance by evaluating and assessing marine propulsion and auxiliary systems with a particular focus on T26 and T31 Frigates, QEC Aircraft Carriers, and T45 Destroyers, but also other Surface Ships as required, either independently or, or as part of a team.

Trials to be conducted in accordance with the current Shipping Regulations, Defence Standards, Classification Society Rules, Books of Reference and Operating Manuals, through the conduct of:

1. Factory acceptance tests.
2. New build trials.
3. Pre and post upkeep trials.
4. Large repair trials.
5. Ship performance assessment trials.
6. Analysis of Ship’s Staff conducted trials reports.
7. Final Installation Inspections (FII) con completion of alterations and additions (A&A).

Key activities include:

1. Production of defect lists.
2. Compilation, assessment and commentary on the Main Propulsion Installation Report Form (RN Form S346).
3. Writing of reports and signals.
4. Management of administration for trials including travel, accommodation, and overtime authorisation requirements in line with current MCTA processes to support trials.

To update trials requirements and procedures following trials experience and studies of specifications, drawings and machinery operating instructions.

To provide advice on the content and order of Harbour and Sea Trials programmes to Platform and Equipment Authorities, Ship Builders, Upkeep Managers and Ship’s Staff.

To provide feedback and dialogue on marine engineering matters arising from the conduct of trials to the appropriate equipment and platform desks in DE&S, support teams, and industry partners.

Person specification

This vacancy will require selected applicants to attend an interview in Victory Building in Portsmouth.

You will need to hold a Full UK Manual Driving licence and be willing to drive MOD provided vehicles.

The successful candidate must be medically fit to conduct trials at sea. An ENG1 medical is required but can be conducted on completion of a successful interview.

The successful applicants will ideally have, or be willing to work towards, developing their knowledge on all equipment associated with Marine Engineering Systems.

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign and your previous experience. Each element will be scored accordingly.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a minimum qualification of an HNC (Adv Cert) in engineering, or marine engineering.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

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.

• 25 days’ paid annual leave rising (one day per year) to 30 days after five years’ service, with an extra day’s holiday for the Kings’s birthday
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options (it should be noted that this role cannot support part-time, job share, or permanent remote working)
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 and Experience.

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

Personal Statement:

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 words max)

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

• Making Effective Decisions

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

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.

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. 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 : Cdr Gareth Fowler (RN)
• Email : gareth.fowler571@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

Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)Navy Candidate Information Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 1513kB)