Ship Standards – Autonomy Advisor

Government Recruitment Service; Southampton; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension contributions

Flexible working options

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service in Southampton is recruiting for a Ship Standards – Autonomy Advisor within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The role focuses on developing UK regulations, standards and guidance for ship safety and environmental protection, with collaboration across MCA, government departments, and industry stakeholders.

The position offers civil service-style benefits, including generous pension contributions and flexible working options, and requires leadership in drafting

Qualifications

• Experience drafting policy and regulatory guidance.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating across government departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead on autonomy remit within ship standards.
• Coordinate Stakeholder Groups and MCA representation at meetings and events.
• Draft instructions for Government lawyers to enable timely regulation implementation.
• Coordinate related impact assessments with Government economists.
• Participate in MCA and externally funded research projects as requested.

Skills

Policy development

Regulatory drafting

Stakeholder engagement

Legal coordination

Job description

Do you have an interest in maritime autonomy, policy and regulations?

Can you draft high standard submissions and other policy documents?

Are you confident at building relationships with stakeholders?

Would you like to input and help develop standards and frameworks to make a positive change to maritime safety and environmental protection?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Future Technical StandardsTeam sits within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's (MCA) Directorate of UK Maritime Services (UKMS) and plays a vital role in developing and maintaining the UK's maritime safety and environmental regulations. Working across a diverse portfolio, the team is responsible for standards affecting all types of vessels, from small pleasure craft to large internationally trading ships. This is a technically challenging and rewarding role at the heart of maritime regulation, where you will help shape policy, develop regulatory requirements, and support the delivery of the UK's maritime objectives. You'll work closely with operational colleagues across the MCA, government departments, international maritime administrations, and industry stakeholders to address emerging issues and drive continuous improvement. If you are looking for an opportunity to apply your expertise in a collaborative environment while influencing the future of maritime safety and environmental protection, this role offers a unique platform to make a meaningful impact.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at MCA:

MCA roles: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

As a Ship Standards – Autonomy Advisor, it will be your responsibility to support and, in some cases, take a proactive lead in managing and developing UK regulations, standards and guidance for ship safety and marine environment protection subject areas.

Working closely with the Assistant Director Ship Standards and senior colleagues, you will support UK Government objectives for a safe, sustainable, and commercially successful maritime sector. Drawing on your own expertise and collaborating with specialist colleagues, your work will contribute to ensuring high standards of maritime safety and environmental protection while enabling innovation across the sector.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to help drive policy development and make a real contribution in the shipping industry in ensuring safer lives, safer ships, and cleaner seas. This role provides a dynamic working environment, with regular engagement with stakeholders at all levels.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Supported by Senior Colleagues lead on a specific subject matter remit: autonomy.
• Work with others in the team and the Innovation Hub to manage Stakeholder Groups and represent MCA at such meetings as well as other meetings, working groups, project groups and external events as required in support of key responsibilities and the work of Stakeholder Groups.
• Supported by Senior Colleagues, lead on the drafting of instructions for Government lawyers to facilitate the timely implementation of regulations and draft codes and guidance to implement UK objectives for shipping safety. Coordinate the development of associated impact assessments in conjunction with Government economists.
• To partake in MCA and externally funded Research Projects as requested.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Ship Standards – Autonomy Advisor

Company: Government Recruitment Service
Salary: £37,090 to £37,090 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Southampton
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 26 Oct 2026
Closing date: 8 Nov 2026

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