SDA Chief Naval Architect

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

You will be a key member of the team, providing authoritative, expert technical advice to senior leadership, influencing key decisions and shaping technical policy that will define the next generation of submarine capability.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The successful applicant can choose between either MOD Abbey Wood Bristol or BAE Systems Submarine Barrow, as there primary delivery location.

Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

Job description

As a Chief Naval Architect, you will lead a high-performing Naval Architecture team at the forefront of cutting-edge submarine design and engineering. You will drive the delivery of critical engineering products in line with the Engineering Management Plan.

In this role, you will be using your expertise in advanced technological problem-solving and strategic leadership to steer complex projects and shape the future of underwater platforms. You will also take charge of the operational direction and execution of Naval Architecture elements for major submarine programmes, ensuring innovative, robust, and mission-critical solutions.

You will be a key member of the team, providing authoritative, expert technical advice to senior leadership, influencing key decisions and shaping technical policy that will define the next generation of submarine capability.

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

Person specification

For this role, we are seeking the following attributes:

• Extensive experience in naval architecture, with a strong focus on Royal Navy submarine design, construction, or in-service support.
• Proven track record leading naval architecture teams within complex submarine programmes or projects.
• Commitment to safety, integrity, and professional excellence.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to operate effectively in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.
• Collaborative mindset, fostering strong working relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Passionate about advancing submarine capability and supporting the Royal Navy’s mission.

Essential Criteria/ Memberships/ Qualifications:

• Chartered Naval Architect or equivalent professional qualification.
• Membership of a recognised professional body (e.g., Royal Institution of Naval Architects).
• Experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of successful Naval Architecture outcomes in multidisciplinary projects
• Wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in Naval Architecture with knowledge and application of Systems Engineering approaches.

Qualifications

Chartered Naval Architect or equivalent professional qualification.

Evidence of the Qualification/Licence/Membership will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences/memberships declared must be held at point of application and be in date.

Memberships

Membership of a recognised professional body (e.g., Royal Institution of Naval Architects).

Evidence of the Qualification/Licence/Membership will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences/memberships declared must be held at point of application and be in date.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Naval Architecture Competence - Expert
• Technical Decision Making - Expert
• Technical Risk Management - Expert

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £79,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £22,973 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%

Discover My Benefits: 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 does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances.

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.

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.At Sift, you will be assessed against the following; Experience:

• Candidates will be required to provide job history and qualification details.
• Personal Statement - This should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing (CSBC5)
• Changing and Improving (CSBC5)
• Leadership (CSBC5)

Technical Competencies:

• Naval Architect Competence - Expert
• Technical Decision Making - Expert
• Technical Risk Management - Expert

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following;Experience:Personal Statement/ Experience - The panel will ask questions about your personal statement. Exploring your Past Experiences, Key Achievements or Qualifications.Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing (CSBC5)
• Changing and Improving (CSBC5)
• Leadership (CSBC5)

Technical Competencies:

• Naval Architect Competence - Expert
• Technical Decision Making - Expert
• Technical Risk Management - Expert

Please refer to the Technical Skills Framework attached and the Behaviour document linked.The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. Interviews will be conducted face to face.Requests to work flexibly and/or part time will be considered, taking into account business needs. Please note the salary will be pro-rata where part time hours are undertaken. All employees joining Ministry of Defence who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Developed Vetting.To be considered for this role, qualifications and/or memberships detailed must be held in full, prior to submitting your application. 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 post does NOT offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.

This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans - GOV.UK

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 DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk

SDA Reward Offer - Working for SDA - Submarine Delivery Agency - GOV.UK

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.

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. 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.

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 : Howard Kelly
• Email : howard.kelly108@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please see Further Information document.

Attachments

20240927_Professional Engineer_SP_SDA Success Profiles_ FINAL-O Opens in new window (pdf, 123kB)Terms and Conditions (TACOS 2014) Opens in new window (docx, 55kB)20250604-Engineering Competence Framework-O Opens in new window (pdf, 198kB)20241009 - Further Information - External Opens in new window (docx, 38kB)