Naval Architect

UK Defence Equipment and Support; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government department is seeking a naval architect to lead and support engineering activities for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The ideal candidate will manage total-ship design and operation, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. Candidates must have relevant engineering qualifications and be professionally registered. This role involves travel across various UK locations and supports flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Flexible and hybrid working options

Market-leading pension contribution of 28.97%

Annual performance-based bonus

Access to specialist training

Support for progression

Qualifications

• Demonstrable wide-ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and leading delivery of Naval Architecture.
• Professionally registered as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or higher.
• Membership in a relevant professional body/institution.

Responsibilities

• Apply legislation and standards for safety and compliance.
• Identify technical hazards and document risk reduction measures.
• Produce technical artefacts and models for assurance.
• Provide expert advice on ship structures and hydrodynamics.
• Mentor junior naval architects and talent.

Skills

Technical advice

Leadership skills

Communication

Risk management

Education

Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics qualification at RQF Level 4

Job description

Overview

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support
Salary: 46400 per annum (plus generous benefits)
Grade: Professional II (PII)
Working Pattern: Full time Part time Job Share Flexible Working
Contract Type: Permanent

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes and strive for what’s next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe for today and tomorrow.

We offer 25 days holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97% to help make work work for you.

Nationality, visas and vetting: We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC clearance can be lengthy and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer if the necessary clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

Role and opportunities

Are you a naval architect looking to work on cutting-edge defence projects? This is an exciting opportunity to join Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) where you will play a pivotal role in delivering critical capabilities for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. You will be part of a dedicated team of engineers tackling unique technical challenges and introducing innovative methods and technologies to support naval operations. Managed within a specialist skills group you will be assigned to high-profile projects based on organisational priorities and your development goals, whether in ship acquisition or through-life support, ensuring you experience the full spectrum of naval architecture challenges.

You will lead and support engineering activities across total-ship design and operation, focusing on the effective integration of all components required for warships and boats to perform as intended. You will apply your expertise to manage risk throughout the acquisition lifecycle, ensuring adherence to standards and rules while providing guidance to MOD and industry designers and builders.

Specialisms within this role may include Concept Design, Ship Structures, Hydrodynamics, Stability, Ship Construction and Repair, Capability Insertion, System Survivability, Boats and Small Craft Design, Maritime Escape, Evacuation and Rescue, Emergency Response and Salvage.

As a naval architect your leadership, communication and influencing skills will be essential in building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, obtaining and sharing critical information and driving project success. There will be opportunities to travel to various UK locations including ships, shipyards and dockyards to support project delivery.

We champion flexible working arrangements requiring a minimum of three days in person to foster collaboration while supporting work-life balance. Initially you may need to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site team and role.

What youll be doing

• Apply legislation, policy and standards to guarantee safety, security, environmental compliance and interoperability across systems in a highly regulated environment.
• Identify and analyse complex technical hazards and project impacts, contribute to risk reduction measures and ensure these are fully documented and understood.
• Produce and review technical artefacts, models, layouts and reports as part of assurance and acceptance activities.
• Provide expert technical advice on ship structures, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics, supporting design decisions and assurance processes.
• Mentor and support the development of junior naval architects and entry-level talent.
• Collaborate closely with the Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) and Classification Societies to establish and maintain certification.

Person specification

To be successful with your application you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Hold a Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4 (Lead criterion)
• Demonstrable wide-ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful Naval Architecture outcomes
• Belong to a relevant Professional body/institution related to your discipline and be professionally registered as either:

• Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or higher

or

• Incorporated Marine Engineering (IMarEng) or higher

Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland only) are the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions - CSBC 3
• Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace - CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1: ECF01 (1.3) Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Practitioner level
• Technical Competence 2: ECF03 (3.3) Supportable Technical Solutions - Practitioner level

Offered benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus up to 30 days with additional days) and 8 bank holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture adds value through diversity of thought. Whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step or returning from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of. If you need any assistance with your application just let us know.

Further information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles - Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: and Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code - Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice, which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident: Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments you can let us know on your online application under the section Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.

Conflicts of Interest: 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.

Selection Process Details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

• Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
• Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
• Interview - If you’re invited to interview you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.
• Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below: 1st Core Behaviour 1; 2nd Core Behaviour 2; 3rd Technical Competencies; 4th CV Review

In the event of a further tie we reserve the right to use the Lead criterion and/or an additional assessment. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, please contact the department via email. If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission.