Senior Design Engineer (Mechanical Engineer) – Navy Command

Job summary

Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in ensuring the safe operation of critical nuclear activities? We are seeking a Senior Design Engineer (SDE) of Mechanical Engineering discipline to join our team at HMNB Clyde. This is a unique opportunity to work in a high-hazard environment, where your expertise will directly contribute to the safety and success of our operations.

As the Senior Design Engineer, you will play a key role in producing and managing mechanical engineering design substantiation for Waterfront facilities within the Faslane site of HMNB Clyde. You will ensure compliance with nuclear regulations, maintain critical safety functions, and support the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme (NNPP), including the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD). This is a challenging and rewarding position that offers the chance to make a real impact while working alongside a team of dedicated professionals.

Why Join Us?

• Make a Difference: Your work will directly contribute to the safety and success of critical nuclear operations.
• Career Development: We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a team of experts who are passionate about what they do and work together to achieve excellence.
• Unique Challenges: Work in a high-profile, high-hazard environment where no two days are the same.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As the Senior Design Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading Design Substantiations: Authoring, developing, assessing, maintaining, and overall management of the suite of Waterfront nuclear engineering substantiation for mechanical infrastructure, ensuring compliance with industry best practices, legislative requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Ensuring ALARP Compliance: Ensuring engineering substantiation provides the evidence layer to the Claims and Arguments within Nuclear Safety Cases and demonstrating that risks associated with authorised activities are tolerable and As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
• Developing Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing (EIMT) Strategies: Producing and developing EIMT Schedules to satisfy engineering requirements through life.
• Acting as Intelligent Customer (IC): Overseeing third-party engineering substantiations and providing direction and advice to current and future infrastructure projects at HMNB Clyde.
• Delivering Periodic Safety Reviews (PSR): Delivering the PSR for Waterfront Mechanical engineering substantiation and supporting infrastructure, ensuring compliance with Clyde Policy and Authorisation Conditions.
• Applying Safety Management Systems (SMS): Complying with all Design Authority and site arrangements in relation to ensuring adequacy of safety justification and engineering substantiation.
• Promoting Safety Culture: Actively fostering a strong Nuclear Safety and Security Culture, ensuring compliance with the ALARP principle and promoting best practices in the development of engineering substantiation and the selection of solutions through option studies.

Person specification

To excel in this role, you’ll need to bring:

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in managing and delivering complex mechanical engineering design substantiation (e.g. cranes, pump systems, heating ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC), and pressure systems).
• Broad knowledge of mechanical engineering design codes and standards, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Minimum HNC, or equivalent qualifications and experience, in Mechanical Engineering or similar relevant engineering discipline required upon entry.
• Incorporated Engineer status with an appropriate professional institute (e.g. IMechE), or equivalent experience and standing.

Opportunities:

This is an exciting development opportunity for an experienced professional to enhance and formalise their expertise in mechanical engineering within the nuclear industry through fully funded training programmes and accreditations.

Qualifications

Minimum HNC, or equivalent qualifications and experience, in Mechanical Engineering or similar relevant engineering discipline required upon entry.

Languages

English

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Nuclear Competence 4.4 - Nuclear Infrastructure Concept, Assessment, Design, Modification and Life Extension Through Life (Level 2)
• Nuclear Competence 6.1 - Naval Reactor Plant and Supporting Infrastructure Maintenance (Level 2)

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.

HMNB Clyde is at the heart of the UK’s defence operations, playing a vital role in maintaining national security. As part of our team, you’ll be contributing to a mission that truly matters.

As a Civil Servant, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (the permanent duty station, HMNB Clyde - Faslane, which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other benefits for Navy Command Civil Servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative & Hybrid working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional Employee Assistance support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• On-site Facilities (gymnasium, recreational shopping mall, café, messing facilities etc)
• Free Car Parking
• Assisted Travel Scheme

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

This post attracts both Nuclear Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £14,000 per annum and a HMNB Clyde Design Authority retention payment of up to £10,000 per annum (£24,000 total). These allowances are discretionary and are dependent on a candidate's ability to successfully demonstrate and evidence their competence, qualifications, and experience to an independent panel of Subject Matter Experts.

This post is on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may attract the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). This is a discretionary allowance. The post being listed on the PCL does not mean that the post holder will have an automatic entitlement to receive the RRA. The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.

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.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills.

Candidates will be required to complete a Personal Statement of no more than 500 words. This should set out your motivation for applying and show how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.

Suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements and Technical Skills that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly during application and interview.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Personal Statement and the following Behaviours and Technical Skills:

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills:

• Nuclear Competence 4.4 - Nuclear Infrastructure Concept, Assessment, Design, Modification and Life Extension Through Life (Level 2)
• Nuclear Competence 6.1 - Naval Reactor Plant and Supporting Infrastructure Maintenance (Level 2)

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours and Technical Skills:

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills:

• Nuclear Competence 4.4 - Nuclear Infrastructure Concept, Assessment, Design, Modification and Life Extension Through Life (Level 2)
• Nuclear Competence 6.1 - Naval Reactor Plant and Supporting Infrastructure Maintenance (Level 2)

There will be a sift to identify best suited candidates. Those applications that go through the sift stage will be invited to an interview. The sift and subsequent interviews will take place approximately 1-3 weeks after the application closing date.

Further Information:

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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

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

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 : Approving Authority Design team
• Email : navynbcc-dhdaaad@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

2024_Nuclear Competence Framework_ver_2.2_O Opens in new window (pdf, 1752kB)20260128-Submarines Directorate Candidate Pack-O Opens in new window (pdf, 7165kB)20250110- CS Applicant Pack Booklet - O Opens in new window (pdf, 1607kB)20251011-00215920_AH AAD Faslane_SDE_Waterfront_Mechanical_HEO NEW TORRS-v1.6-O Opens in new window (docx, 159kB)