Specialist Inspector - Marine Engineer (Band 3/SEO)

Health and Safety Executive; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 73,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory body is seeking a Maritime Integrity Specialist to assess safety cases and conduct inspections on offshore installations. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Marine Engineering or equivalent, be a Chartered Engineer, and possess strong skills in maritime integrity and risk management. The role requires offshore travel, preparing technical reports for legal proceedings, and engaging with various stakeholders to enhance industry standards. This is a full-time position offering a salary of £73,335 - £77,003, plus additional benefits.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Relocation allowance up to £15,000

Flexible working options

25 days annual leave increasing to 30 after 5 years

Qualifications

• You must satisfy OEUK approved offshore medical & OPITO approved survival training requirements.
• Chartered Engineer with membership in a relevant institution or qualifications for chartered status.
• Self-motivated and flexible, capable of working independently.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of safety cases and inspections offshore.
• Prepare expert technical reports for legal proceedings.
• Engage with stakeholders to improve standards of offshore installations.

Skills

Assessment of safety cases

Maritime integrity expertise

Knowledge of marine systems

Chartered Engineer status

Communication skills

Risk management

Education

Degree in Marine Engineering or equivalent

Job description

• Assessment of safety cases drawing conclusions as a subject matter expert on the adequacy of the demonstration, raising issues, or considering future inspection work
• Maritime integrity topic discipline involvement includes assessment of hull structure and stability, watertight integrity, bilge and ballast systems, station keeping systems (mooring and dynamic positioning), cargo, offloading and inert gas systems and operation
• Inspections (onshore/offshore) as part of a multi-discipline team, completing reports and issuing different levels of enforcement depending on the risk present
• Investigations of incidents or complaints as a maritime integrity topic specialist in a multi-disciplinary investigation team dealing with evidence gathering, enforcement, prosecutions and supporting others as necessary on technical aspects
• Preparation of technical reports / expert evidence for various levels of legal proceedings
• Provision of expert advice on health and safety matters associated with maritime integrity within Energy Division, HSE, industry and other relevant stakeholders
• Engagement with stakeholders including industry bodies such as OEUK, IADC, BROA, IMCA, Classification Societies, Marine Safety Forum, BSI and ISO Committees on Offshore Structures to improve benchmark standards for the design and operation of floating offshore installations.

Specialist Training Programme

You will be supported by your manager and colleagues to understand your role in HSE, develop your skills, and support you in your continuing professional development. For the legal requirements of the role, you will be enrolled on the Specialist Training Programme (STP) and will be required to study for and successfully complete a formal assessment. We also have a strong focus on ongoing technical CPD and training in our core subject areas.

This is a full-time role and you will be required to spend periods of time offshore, including overnight stays. This usually includes working outside of normal core working hours, early check‑ins and late returns from offshore inspections. You should ensure that your working pattern can accommodate these requirements.

You will travel from Aberdeen by helicopter or marine access to offshore installations, and floating production and non-production installations, usually around 8 times per year and for anything from one to four days at a time. From time to time, you may be expected to undertake unplanned visits offshore at relatively short notice, including weekends.

When not working offshore or onsite, your office attendance would be in accordance with HSE's Hybrid Working Policy. Regular travel to Aberdeen and other HSE offices for training and meetings will also be required and this can require overnight stays.

Medical Requirements

• You must be able to satisfy the OEUK approved offshore medical & OPITO approved survival training requirements (BOSIET/MIST).
• Chartered Engineer with a corporate membership of an appropriate professional institution (IMarEST or RINA) or have the qualifications to be able to achieve chartered status.

Interviews will take place from 26th January when you will be assessed against the behaviours and technical skills detailed within the job advert. You will be asked to deliver a ten-minute verbal presentation for the interview panel. Further information for the presentation will be provided if successful to interview stage. Please note sift and interview dates may change due to panel availability.

AI Tools & Platforms

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.

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

Further Information

Due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and, Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

Please note a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.

HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.

From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE's Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details - name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box [e-mail].

Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK.

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.

Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.

If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail].

Any move to HSE 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 here.

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further;

• Formal discipline action
• any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

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.

See our vetting charter. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements.

The Civil Service Code 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. 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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

• Experience in one or more areas involving design, construction, integrity management, and operations of floating offshore installations (FPSOs/FSUs, Jack-up rigs and Semi-submersibles), support vessels, and their marine plant and equipment, and understanding of relevant codes & standards from International Standards Organization (ISO); International Maritime Organization (IMO), American Petroleum Institute (API) and Classification Societies
• Knowledge and understanding of design principles and safety levels involved in the design of various marine systems for floating offshore installations to identify risk gaps where present, and to challenge duty holder technical authorities if required
• Knowledge and understanding of major accident hazards and control measures for floating offshore installations and mobile offshore units, more specifically those associated with station keeping systems (mooring and dynamic positioning); cargo (oil) storage and offloading systems; marine and structural integrity; stability and ballast systems; marine safety and emergency response systems
• Familiarity with basic principles of risk management and risk assessment tools, and sufficient operational knowledge and experience to identify risk gap and underlying issues, enabling you to make effective decisions on the adequacy of existing control measures and gather evidence from offshore personnel including Offshore Installation Managers to support enforcement decisions
• Expert level knowledge on the operation of marine systems including power generation and power management onboard one or more of the following types of units - trading oil tankers, shuttle tankers, dynamically positioned mobile offshore units or diving support vessels
• Self-motivated and able to work independently to contribute to a busy and supportive team, working flexibly, with frequent offshore travel, A qualified marine engineer with a STCW Certificate of Competency as a Chief Engineer unlimited or a degree in Marine Engineering or equivalent qualifications with demonstrable experience of a marine engineer.
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical Skills

• Detailed knowledge of marine systems and operation - cargo storage and offloading, power generation and power management, ballast systems and dynamic positioning systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of stability, hull structural strength and mooring systems.

A key operational arm of HSE, Energy Division (ED) regulates the UK's Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, pipelines, mines, diving and renewable sector. We employ around 140 professional engineers and scientists to do this. Respected internationally for our independent status and integrity, we have a long-standing reputation for technical expertise which can be applied logically to deliver effective, proportionate solutions enabling hazardous activities to be managed safely.

£73,335 - £77,003

Non-Standard B

This role currently attracts an offshore market supplement up to a maximum of £10,000 which is non-pensionable and non-consolidated. It is subject to review annually in HSE's October pay offer.

Relocation to Aberdeen will attract a relocation allowance up to £15,000 for eligible candidates.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP, Alongside your salary of £73,335, Health and Safety Executive contributes £21,245 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
• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97%, far more than in the private sector
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme
• E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.