SDA Quality Assurance Engineer

Ministry Of Defence; Bradley Stoke; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental defense organization in England is looking for a Quality Assurance Engineer to join their In-Service Submarine team. This role involves ensuring the safety of systems and equipment for the UK's nuclear submarines. Responsibilities include conducting audits, supporting quality investigations, and collaborating with project teams. The position also offers flexible working options and extensive training opportunities. Candidates must possess relevant qualifications and experience in quality assurance and supply chain management.

Benefits

Civil Service pension

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Must be willing to work towards Chartered Quality Professional (CQP).
• Experience in manufacturing and QA.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Assurance practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct internal Quality Assurance surveillance.
• Support Quality investigations and root cause analysis.
• Manage delivery of audits and report findings.
• Advise on Quality requirements with project teams.

Skills

Experience and knowledge in the supply chain environment

Communication

Problem-solving

Technical Risk Management

Education

Relevant Level 4 qualification (or higher)

CQI Quality Practitioner or equivalent

Job description

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in‑service support, and disposal of the UK's nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK's continuous at‑sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear‑armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we'll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Are you an experienced Quality professional with a desire to support the UK's defence programme? If so, we have a motivating and exciting role available to join our In‑Service Submarine (ISM) team based at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol. In return, we are offering stability and fantastic career progression, with access to world‑class training and development.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a team of highly skilled quality professionals, where you will help ensure the platforms, systems and equipment we deliver to the UK submarines are safe to use. As a Quality Assurance Engineer, you will provide engineering and quality assurance advice. You will be an empowered forward‑thinking individual who is as motivated working within a team as you are independently. You'll utilise your experience in manufacturing processes within a technical environment and your knowledge in internal quality management and auditing to provide solutions to technical problems that may arise. You'll be involved in a variety of submarine defence projects, making this role both exciting and challenging.

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 during the interview stage.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at [e-mail].

Person specification

Typical main responsibilities for this role are the following:

• Conduct and manage the delivery of internal Quality Assurance (QA) surveillance in support of risk management, supplier oversight/assurance, verification, validation and acceptance.
• Contribute to Quality investigations, root cause analysis, internal process performance improvement activities and supplier escalations/interventions.
• Identify and suggest creative or innovative solutions to provide improved performance and Government Quality Assurance (GQA) service delivery.
• Conduct audits and/or investigations following the Quality failings with the authority to stop work proceeding where supporting evidence exists.
• Support the implementation of the necessary quality assurance strategies.
• Providing QA support, including liaising with Design Authorities (DAs) and other project teams within the Submarine Delivery Agency.
• Undertake activities and support to cover Safety Critical Systems and ensuring contracts contain the appropriate Quality requirements.

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Quality Improvement (Practitioner)
• Technical Risk Management (Practitioner)

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.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

At Sift, you will be assessed on your:
Experience – Please provide Job History details and Qualifications.
Behaviours:
+ Communicating and Influencing (CSBC3)
+ Changing and Improving (CSBC3)
Technical:
+ Quality Improvement (Practitioner)
+ Technical Risk Management (Practitioner)

At Interview, you will be assessed on your;
Experience – The panel will ask questions about your Job History details and Qualifications.
Behaviours:
+ Communicating and Influencing (CSBC3)
+ Changing and Improving (CSBC3)
Technical:
+ Quality Improvement (Practitioner)
+ Technical Risk Management (Practitioner)

Interviews will be conducted over MS Teams.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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. The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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 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.

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 mitigation's can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. (Include the Privacy notice link).

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.

Essential Skills

• Experience and knowledge in the supply chain environment.
• Willing to work towards Chartered Quality Professional (CQP).
• Willing to attain MOD Quality Practitioner License.

Qualifications

• Relevant Level 4 qualification (or higher) or equivalent experience.
• Industry/manufacturing and QA experience.
• CQI Quality Practitioner or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.

Alongside your salary of £38,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,211 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers.

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/.

The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• 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%.

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in‑person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) to promote the benefits of face‑to‑face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work‑life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.