Weapon Effects Analyst and Software Engineer

Job summary

Make a Difference Through Science and Analysis

At Dstl, we help Defence meet its legal and ethical responsibility to minimise harm to civilians and ensure the proportionate use of force. As a Weapon Effects Analyst & Software Engineer, you'll use analytical methods, modelling, and software development to provide trusted scientific evidence that supports operational decisions, capability development, and defence policy.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex, real-world challenges that directly influence Defence outcomes.

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

What You'll Do

• Deliver high-quality weapon effects analysis and modelling to support Defence and Government decision-making.
• Develop, maintain, and improve the analytical models and software tools used across the business.
• Apply and advance physics-based and empirical modelling techniques to assess weapon effects and collateral damage.
• Conduct research to improve the accuracy, assurance, and credibility of our analytical methods.
• Communicate technical findings clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Collaborate with colleagues, customers, industry partners, and international stakeholders to share expertise and enhance capability.
• Contribute to the future development of weapon effects methodologies, standards, and best practice across Defence.

Person specification

What we're looking for:

About You

We're looking for someone who can combine analytical thinking with software development skills and enjoys solving complex technical problems.

You should have:

• Experience developing, validating, or assuring analytical models and software tools.
• Knowledge of software engineering principles and practices.
• Experience using modelling and simulation techniques to solve technical challenges.
• Coding experience, ideally in MATLAB.
• The ability to interpret complex data and deliver robust, evidence-based conclusions.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Why Join Dstl?

You'll work alongside leading scientists and engineers on unique, nationally important challenges, helping to provide the evidence and insight that underpins Defence decision-making while developing your own technical expertise and career.

Help shape the future of Defence through science, analysis, and innovation.

For the full job description please see the Job profile attached at the bottom of this page.

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

Physics, Maths, or Engineering degree.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Describe how you would investigate the discrepancy and determine whether the results are genuine or caused by an error in the data, analysis, or software.”

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,741, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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 19th October with interviews to be arranged on the 12th & 18th November 2026, interviews will be based at Dstl Portsdown West & consist of a behavioural & technical interview, this will include a short brief on a relevant piece of work showing your technical background.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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.

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

L4, Weapon Effects Analyst and Software Engineer, Lethality & Protection, S&T Delivery, v2 Opens in new window (pdf, 206kB)Dstl Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 4978kB)