WHG-DNO-Warhead Production Assurance Engineer

Job summary

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is responsible for the provision of the nuclear deterrent, encompassing our submarines and nuclear warheads, while also advising on UK nuclear planning and fostering international co-operation on nuclear matters. With a multidisciplinary team of over 700 professionals, the DNO brings together expertise in science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery, and more. We work in partnership with the Royal Navy, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Atomic Weapons Establishment as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated, and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

This post sits in the Warhead Integrated Stockpile Management (ISM) Mk4A Chief Engineer (CE) Engineering Management Team. The Mk4A team is responsible for the development, delivery and support of the in-service TRIDENT Re-Entry System (TRES). It is the intelligent customer for TRES equipment designs throughout the manufacturing, in-service and disposal phases. The Chief Engineer ensures that engineering standards for Stockpile Management outputs and operations are defined and applied, and that safety and performance requirements are both met and maintained. Engineering Management aids the MOD authority to gain confidence regarding progress related to programmatic, technical and cultural activities being enacted at the Tech Centres and Atomic Weapons Enterprise, in support of mission success.

The Engineering Management Team is responsible for overseeing and enabling Assembly and Disassembly operations at AWE to ensure DNO requirements are met, providing a focal point for quality issues, managing waivers and deviations for operational procedures and component disposition, and accepting weapons into service. This role will provide subject matter expertise for warhead production processes.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Engineering Management has an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to deliver activities to assure our nation’s deterrent.

As the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assembly/disassembly activities, this role will provide robust and comprehensive technical advice and recommendations to the Mk4A Engineering Management Assistant Head (EMAH) and Chief Engineer to assure them of quality outputs from AWE. This assurance will culminate in the EMAH being able to accept warheads into service on behalf of the government.

The role will directly support the intelligent customer basis of the DNO-WHG organisation through the delivery of the following activities:

• Assessing Nuclear Weapon assembly and disassembly activities, supporting the resolution of issues, ensuring due process is completed, providing technical recommendations on process acceptance, assessing safety cases and process demonstrations to assuring manufacturing risks are reduced, represent DNO at defect reviews, providing technical recommendations to CE and EMAH; assessing defects and effect to safety and performance, identifying and closing out technical risks, attending monthly AWE progress meetings, reviewing tooling and process uplift implementation.

• Lead US nuclear weapon technical engagement, acting as the link between the UK government, AWE, and the US on issues governed by MDA and PSA, oversee root cause analysis to develop solutions, technical acceptance of Request for Dispositions, assessing changes to US components and their interfaces with the TRES, assuring the CE on their suitability.

• Responsible for assuring the CE that the Warhead meets safety and performance requirements, assuring the EMAH in post-build buy-off of warheads, reviewing all component statuses, problems, defects and waivers through warhead build, assessing evidence and providing an assurance assessment that warheads are safe and suitable for full-service use.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

This post attracts the NSQEP Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £14,000 per annum. This allowance is discretionary and is dependent on a candidate's ability to successfully demonstrate and evidence their competence, qualifications, and experience to an independent panel of Subject Matter Experts.

Person specification

Essential Skills:

At least 2 years of experience in working within a production environment (preferably nuclear or high hazard)

An awareness of the design and processing of the nuclear warhead.

Desirable Qualifications:

Engineering or Science degree

Desirable Skills:

Knowledge of the nuclear weapon programme and safety management of nuclear and conventional weapon systems.

Knowledge of supporting nuclear safety cases, risk assessment and consequence analysis.

Knowledge of the four life cycle phases of the nuclear weapon, to support in-service safety cases and the interactions between the nuclear warhead and other subsystems of the Strategic Weapons System.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Nuclear Competence Framework - Nuc 5.3 – Nuclear Weapon Acquisition and Acceptance

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 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%
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• On-site Gym
• Cycle Loan (Advance on Salary)
• Thank You Scheme
• Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA)
• Defence Discount Service
• On-site Nursery (site dependent)

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.

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached document.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style.

*Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview*

*Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history/qualification details/previous skills and experience. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

*Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement of Suitability which should be a maximum of 750 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential/desirable requirements for the role.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement of 750 words and the following behaviours:

- Making Effective Decisions

- Leadership

- Working Together

At interview, you will be assessed against the following behaviours and Technical Skills and your experience.

- Making Effective Decisions

- Leadership

- Working Together

- Nuclear Competence Framework - Nuc 5.3 – Nuclear Weapon Acquisition and Acceptance

The requirements for the role have been benchmarked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.

Interviews will be conducted face to face at AWE, Reading.

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

You will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.

The Defence Nuclear Organisation plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of the UK’s independent strategic nuclear deterrent. To help enhance security, staff working for the DNO are encouraged to always exercise a high level of discretion in sharing information or talking about their work. As part of the application process, we ask that you do not tell anyone other than your partner or close family member about your application to join the DNO. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage.

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 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 : External Recruitment
• Email : DNO-ExternalRecruiting@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

CIVIL_SERVICE_NATIONALITY_RULES_-_GUIDANCE_ON_CHECKING_ELIGIBILITY (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 174kB)Nuclear Competence Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 1752kB)Document in 26-06 Defence Internal Brief notice for inclusion of all adverts and issued alongside Posting Notices_O Opens in new window (docx, 25kB)Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)