Subsea Survey Manager

Defence Equipment & Support; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Plymouth seeks a Subsea Survey Manager to lead subsea survey operations utilizing AUVs and ROVs. You will manage survey data collection, support equipment readiness, and collaborate on technical documentation. The ideal candidate has a strong technical background and significant offshore experience, coupled with leadership skills. Join us to impact critical marine operations supporting UK Defense.

Benefits

Annual performance-based bonus

Access to specialist training

Flexible and hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Experience in subsea survey operations.
• At least 360 days documented offshore experience.
• Experience managing marine operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational tasks and activities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
• Develop technical documentation for surveys.

Skills

Technical problem-solving

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Technical advice provision

Education

Engineering, Science, Technical, Technology or Marine based qualification at RQF Level 4

IMCA accredited certification as an ROV or AUV Pilot / Technician Grade 1

Job description

Job description for Subsea Survey Manager

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) unit is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled SALMO Subsea Survey Manager to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery.

SALMO operate a fleet of cutting edge, commercially available AUVs and ROVs to conduct deepwater survey operations. As Subsea Survey Manager you will join a dynamic and enthusiastic team to deliver the survey aspects of the capability. You will be deployed afloat for circa 10 – 12 weeks per year, for both scheduled and unplanned surveys, to manage the collection and analysis of a range of subsea survey data types. You will use your experience with common survey software packages to plan, prepare, and conduct both the overarching survey and individual missions, while reviewing and assuring the collected data to maintain the highest standards.

Whilst ashore, you will support the wider operational preparation by maintaining the readiness and availability of the survey equipment and software through regular servicing, fault finding and maintenance. You will support liaison with capability customers to develop schedules and plans for the survey season as well as regular communication with a variety of original equipment manufacturers. You will remain abreast of current and emerging technologies relevant to the capability and use your expertise and experience to support and advise both survey planning, operations and related tasks within SALMO and wider defence.

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, 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.

You will be combining office-based engineering responsibilities with hands‑on operational work at sea. In the office, you will collaborate closely with project and operational managers on activities such as procuring new systems, developing technical requirements, and producing engineering management plans and supporting documentation. At sea, you will take on the role of survey manager.

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 under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.

The position is ideal for an experienced AUV or ROV technician or engineer seeking a more varied role in a stable environment, or for a hands‑on project engineer looking for a new and exciting challenge.

What you’ll be doing

• Requirements – Owning the generation and maintenance of technical documentation. This includes operational records and safe systems of work.
• Technical Data – Developing and reviewing the safety documentation and, standard operating procedures and safety management systems providing ship suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP) under operational conditions and taskings.
• Legislation / Policy – Working in a highly regulated area, leading on complying with relevant legislation, regulation, policy, processes and standards, by acting as the safety focal point and be responsible for the day‑to‑day management of allaspects of maintenance and supervision both ashore and afloat.
• Risk – Delegated to lead operational tasks and activities associated with maintaining capability as required and undertake activity related Risk Assessments.
• Stakeholder Management – Collaboration between DE&S and on‑site client representatives. Providing role and supervision of contractors in operational activity.
• Support – Responsible to Unit OIC for safe provision of full range of marine plant and equipment to meet SALMO requirements. Providing advice on Ship and Submarine matters, or subsea survey within operational conditions.
• Technical Discipline – Leading as a focal point of the subsea activities and marine operations team instilling best practice in operations as well as the shore‑based management role.

Person specification

• An Engineering, Science, Technical, Technology or Marine based qualification at RQF Level 4 or equivalent. (Lead Criterion)
• IMCA accredited certification as an ROV or AUV Pilot / Technician Grade 1 or a Survey Engineer Grade 1, or a recognised company equivalent, with at least 360 days of documented offshore experience and a minimum of 100 hours piloting an ROV or AUV at Grade 1 level. All experience must be verifiable through a logbook.

• OR

  • With a relevant Professional body / institution related to your discipline, be professionally registered as one of the following :
  • Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or
  • Registered Scientist (RSci) or
  • Incorporated Marine Engineer (IMarEng) or
  • Incorporated Marine Technologist (IMarTec)
• Experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful survey outcomes in small‑scale tasks and projects Offshore, as well as onshore support of survey operations.
• Demonstrable wide‑ranging and relevant technical experience in subsea activities or marine operations.
• Experience of managing marine operations with evidence of technical problem‑solving and risk management.

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
• Candidates do not need to hold these (including no prior commercial diving experience) but must have no known reasons not to achieve this within 6 months of employment.

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

• Core Behaviour 1 : Making Effective Decisions – CSBC 3
• Core Behaviour 2 : Leadership – CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1 : ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions – Practitioner level
• Technical Competence 2 : ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Supervised Practitioner level

Benefits

• Alongside your salary of £53,400, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,469 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
• 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
• Further details of SALMO T&Cs can be found in the link below within Further Information

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

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.

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

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

Ready to join us as a Subsea Survey Manager ? Apply now!