Salvage Officer

Defence Equipment & Support; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental defense agency in Plymouth is seeking a Salvage Officer to lead maritime recovery operations. This role demands extensive maritime experience and technical knowledge to ensure the safety and effectiveness of underwater operations. Candidates must possess relevant certifications, including STCW Master or Chief Engineer. The position offers a competitive salary and various benefits, including substantial pension contributions and flexible working options.

Benefits

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension

Up to 31.5 days annual leave

Market-leading pension contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Specialist training opportunities

Qualifications

• Holder of STCW Master (unlimited) or Chief Engineer (unlimited)
• Extensive maritime operations experience with strong naval engineering knowledge
• Ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate maritime recovery operations
• Implement safe systems of work and system maintenance
• Manage stakeholders and supervise contractors

Skills

Maritime operations experience

Leadership

Technical problem-solving

Risk management

Communication skills

Education

STCW Master or Chief Engineer certification

Job description

Job description for Salvage Officer

Ready to dive into a career like no other? If you’re driven by innovation, thrive in high-stake environments, and inspired by the idea of working with cutting-edge subsea technology, then this is your moment. The Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled Salvage Officer to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery.

As a Salvage Officer, you will lead and coordinate complex maritime recovery operations to safeguard Defence assets and maintain operational capability. Operating in high-pressure environments, you will apply specialist knowledge, strategic judgement, and resilience to protect national interests and ensure the integrity of MOD maritime platforms and infrastructure.

Why join SALMO? SALMO is the MOD’s centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, and delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it’s locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital.

What’s in it for you? This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances underSALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.

What you’ll be doing

• Requirements – Operational planning and documentation, implementation of safe systems of work and system maintenance.
• Legislation / Policy – Working in a highly regulated area, maintain awareness of changes in maritime legislation design & safety criteria used across MOD / Commercial.
• Risk – Authorised to sign off recommendations where decisions are required to cease operation / activities due to safety implications.
• Design – Leading and providing, technical and Engineering support to tasks & projects, including salvage, towing, Remote Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles underwater operations.
• Stakeholder Management – Leading on collaboration between DE&S and on-site client representatives. Providing accountability and supervision of contractors in operational activities.
• Technical Discipline – Leading as a focal point of the salvage activities subsea activities and marine operations team, instilling best practice in operations as well as the shore‑based management.

Person specification

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

• Holder of International Convention on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Master (unlimited) or Chief Engineer (unlimited) – Lead Criterion
• Extensive maritime operations experience with strong naval engineering knowledge
• Proven ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects, and recovery missions in high pressure conditions
• Skilled in technical problem‑solving, risk management, and decision‑making with a focus on safety and operational effectiveness
• Strong leadership and communication skills for collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders at all levels

This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions.

For SALMO Retained Grade seeking promotion, please refer to Part 2, Section 10.2 of the SALMO Retained Grade Handbook.

Due to the nature of this role, you are :

• Required to hold and maintain a two‑yearly ENG1 seafarers medical (no geographical limitations)
• Required to enlist as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve
• Expected to work extended hours as and when required in support of operational commitments
• Required to live within 60 minutes travelling time of the base to which you are appointed
• Required to hold an in‑date UK driving licence
• Pass a HSE Dive Medical (No restrictions)
• Pass SALMO Dive Aptitude Test
• Candidates do not need to hold this (including no prior commercial diving experience) but must have no known reasons not to achieve this within 6 months of employment
• Specific requirements for diving roles only

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

• Core Behaviour 1 : Leadership – CSBC4
• Core Behaviour 2 : Making effective decisions– CSBC4
• Technical Competence (ENG) 1 : ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Practitioner level
• Technical Competence (COG) 2 : OHSEP Conducting Risk Assessment – Practitioner level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £70,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,365 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days’ annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service
• See below for further details on SALMO T&C’s
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market‑leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
• Annual performance‑based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return 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 – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack : https : / / bit.ly / DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• SALMO Terms and Conditions : https : / / bit.ly / SALMO-Terms-and-Conditions

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 that 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.

Things you need to know

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 using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criterion, and / or and additional assessment.

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

Ready to join us as an Salvage Officer ? Apply now!