SDA Technical Engineering Waterfront Apprentice Scheme

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.

Job description

Shape the Future with the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA)!

Kickstart your career with the SDA’s Technical Engineering Waterfront Apprentice Scheme and be part of the UK’s most advanced Defence programmes. We’re looking for talented, motivated individuals to help secure the nation’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.

Why join us?

• Earn while you learn: Competitive salary and a Level 3 Diploma (Apprentice Standard ST1395), with the chance to pursue an HNC in year three.
• Hands-on experience: Engineering placements and nuclear training at key waterfront locations across the UK.
• Career progression: A three-year scheme with potential for a permanent role in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).
• Supportive environment: Dedicated Apprentice Manager and Placement Supervisor to guide your journey.
• Networking opportunities: Build connections with industry experts and internal teams.

Location & Flexibility
Start in September 2026 with year one at the National College for Nuclear (Cannington). The learning provider can assist you with finding suitable accommodation to rent. Years two and three include 6-month placements at DNE locations, with travel and accommodation covered (if required to travel away from your recruited location).* Flexible and hybrid working options may be available after your college year.

You will be contracted for 37 hours per week.

*Parents/guardians of those Under 18 will be responsible for sourcing suitable accommodation in the second year of the scheme. In most cases placements in the second year will be sourced at the apprentice’s permanent duty station (Bristol or Devonport) to allow for proximity to caregivers.

Join us and help shape the engineers of the future. Apply now!

Person specification

What we’re looking for:
Passionate, proactive individuals with a commitment to engineering. You’ll be a team player who champions inclusivity, embraces challenges, and demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and a solution-focused mindset. Strong communication skills, leadership potential, and a drive for continuous improvement are essential.

Qualifications

Candidates must have, or be studying to attain, a minimum of four full GCSEs A*-C or 4-9 (or equivalent) including English Language, Mathematics and a Science or Engineering subject and one additional subject.
Candidates are asked to distinguish between an English Language or English Literature qualification awarded.
Applicants with predicted grades should check that when asked 'if they have the mandatory grades' they tick YES, otherwise their application will automatically be rejected. Grades must be achieved by August 2026.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Technical Decision Making - Awareness
• Application of Analytical Techniques - Awareness

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,254 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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/

• 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%

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.

An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year

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.

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

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.

At Sift, you will be assessed on;

To be successful with your application, you will need to complete a Personal Statement and 2 behavioural competency questions that will be assessed within a sift. The Personal Statement should be a maximum of 1000 words.

At Interview, you will be assessed on;

Behaviours:

• Working Together (CSBC1)
• Communicating and Influencing (CSBC1)

Technical:

• Technical Decision Making (Awareness)
• Application of Analytical Techniques (Awareness)

As part of your interview, you will be asked to produce a short technical presentation. Further details of this presentation will be provided closer to the time.

Please refer to the Technical Skills Framework and Behaviour document attached.

Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams.

Because of the classification of much of the role, all posts will be open to UK Nationals only. Further information on Nationality Requirements is attached below.

Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates

1. This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, ‘only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service’1 (Paragraph. 3.1).

UK National Definition

1. The definition of a ‘UK National’ can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Dual Nationals

1. As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:

1. ‘Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.’

Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts

1. As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:

1. ‘…departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.’

1. If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons.

1.Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)

You must obtain full security clearance with no caveats limiting your role. If clearance isn’t granted before the scheme starts, or is granted with restricting caveats, your conditional offer will be withdrawn

No application can be accepted after the closing date.

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

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 : SDA Technical Apprentice Management Team
• Email : SDA-CE-CECT-TECH-Apprentices@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-AMO@mod.gov.uk

Attachments

20240927_Engineering Degree Apprentice_SDA Success Profiles_FINAL-O (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 100kB)PMPC Technical Competence Framework July 2020 Final Opens in new window (pdf, 209kB)Apprenticeship Funding Criteria Opens in new window (pdf, 134kB)20250527 Success Profile Behaviours 2025 document v1-O Opens in new window (pdf, 536kB)