Specialist Search Engineer

Metropolitan Police; Greater London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Police Service in London is seeking an Engineer for the Specialist Search Technical Services (SSTS) team to support counter-terrorism operations. You will work with other engineers and police officers to provide technical capabilities in weapons detection, ETD, TSCM, X-ray and related search technologies.

The role requires a STEM background, security vetting (SC(e) and possible DV), willingness to deploy across London locations, and flexibility to work unsocial hours.

Qualifications

• Requires STEM background and relevant engineering/scientific discipline.
• Knowledge of chemical or radiological detection principles is advantageous.
• Able to work independently and in a team, with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate technical information through investigation and analysis (≤140 chars).
• Negotiate with equipment suppliers to achieve best value in procurement.
• Attend and maintain role-specific training (e.g. LSO, RSV, TSCM).
• Work in the field and in offices, across London locations.
• Support nationwide deployments when required.
• Be on the on-call rota and work unsocial hours as needed.
• Operate in challenging environments and handle equipment safely.

Skills

STEM background

Engineering

Education

UK OfQual Level 5 qualification in engineering/science

UK OfQual Level 6 qualification in engineering/science

Tools

ETD

TSCM

X-ray systems

Weapons detection

SONAR

Video optics

Job description

Salary: The starting salary is £46,985, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.

The salary is broken down as £43,976 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £49,670. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: Lambeth, Southwark

Support frontline Counter Terrorism operations

To protect London, we need all kinds of people, with all sorts of skills. As an Engineer in our Specialist Search Technical Services (SSTS) team you will use your talents to support crucial Counter Terrorism operations. We will support you with specialist training and resources to enable you to play your part in keeping the capital’s communities safe. If this area of policing interests you then come and join our expert team.

You will be part of the Threat Mitigation Technologies section within the Specialist Search Technical Services team; an enabling function for all kinds of activities associated with Counter Terrorism Policing. As part of this vital function you will work closely with officers and fellow engineers to provide a range of technical capabilities; this could include support for a number of areas such as weapons detection technologies and Explosives Trace Detection (ETD), Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM), X-ray systems, SONAR, Video Optics and other search and detection techniques. It is a varied and interesting role where you will be operationally deployed to locations around London in support of proactive and reactive operations, as well as completing office-based functions, such as procuring, modifying, testing and operating a range of systems under the supervision of a Leading Engineer.

We are looking for proven engineering or scientific experience and a relevant qualification in a STEM subject. Having a working knowledge of either chemical or radiological detection principles, the electromagnetic spectrum or radio frequency communication systems would be advantageous to this role. Whatever your background, you will need to be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team and, you should have the confidence and communication skills to deal with all types of people.

Job Description

Reporting to a Leading Engineering Technician (Band N) within the Specialist Search Technical Services (SSTS) team, you will work operationally with other engineers and police officers to provide a range of technical capabilities to support counter terrorism policing in London. You will require a STEM background in order to support capabilities such as, but not limited to; weapons detection technologies, Explosives Trace Detection (ETD), Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM: counter-eavesdropping), X-ray systems, and other search and detection techniques.

• Producing accurate technical information through investigation and analysis
• Demonstrate good negotiating skills with equipment suppliers and manufacturers when engaged in procurement activities in order to achieve best value for money
• Engineers are required to attend, pass and maintain role specific training. (e.g. Licensed Search Officer, Radiation Protection Supervisor, and Technical Surveillance Counter Measures training)
• Work operationally in the field, occasionally under their own supervision
• The role involves working across locations within the Metropolitan District, and on occasions support nationwide deployments
• Can involve working unsocial and extended hours, often at short notice supporting counter-terrorism and crime related policing operations
• Be able to work as part of an ‘on-call’ rota
• Work can be in difficult and challenging environments and circumstances
• The role is physical involving carrying loads, deploying equipment and loading and un-loading vehicles
• A uniform and / or health and safety personal protective equipment, is provided and must be kept smart, tidy, clean and in good condition
• All staff in SSTS must pass a minimum security clearance level of SC but in some cases the role may require a higher level of clearance
• Drive Metropolitan Police vehicles up to 7.5 Tonnes.
• UK OfQual defined Level 6 or higher qualification in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline

This role does not attract Shift Disturbance Allowance. If you are currently in a shift-working role, SDA should cease upon appointment to this job.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced)(SC(e)) level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.

Personal Statement

Previous Experience and Technical Expertise

Please note: The use of this template is not compulsory, however please ensure your Personal Statement contains the details outlined below.

Considering the role description of the post you are applying for, please describe how your current skills, experience and knowledge make you suitable for the role. Please refer to the Metropolitan Police Service’s Values and Competency Framework and describe how your approach to your previous employment / experiences addresses the standards set out for our organisation.

Your personal statement should include examples of your personal approach, actions and outcomes and should be no more than 1500 words.

Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 23rd October 2026.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Essential For The Role

Essential Criteria

• Driving licence with category B (Vehicles up to 3500 kg)
• UK OfQual defined Level 5 qualifications in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.

Or

• UK OfQual defined Level 4 qualifications in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline plus at least 1 year relevant experience.

Or

• UK OfQual defined Level 3 qualifications in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline plus at least 3 years relevant experience.

Or

• Significant and proven experience and training in a relevant engineering or scientific field.

Desirable Criteria

• Driving licence with categories D1 & C1 (Vehicles up to 7500 kg)
• Membership of a STEM professional body
• UK OfQual defined Level 6 or higher qualification in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If youneed any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.

Please note, if you are applying for a police officer role or to become a police community support officer (PCSO) or designated detention officer (DDO), there is a minimum requirement that you must pass a job-related fitness test (JRFT) at point of entry. This does not apply to police staff roles. Find out more about police fitness standards.

Read our full disability confidence statement.