Full 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, and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence.
Here you’ll find a community to belong to – whether that’s alongside project teams with a shared vision or as part of an employee network of like-minded individuals. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 28.97%, to help make work for you.
Nationality, visas and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.
This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.
Job description
Are you are fascinated by cutting edge technology and excited by the opportunity to work first hand with on military platforms and programmes? If so, the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) require a Safety Engineer to join the Astute Delivery Team (ADT) at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol. This is an important and rewarding role that would be well suited to a Safety Engineer or a Safety Professional with comprehensive knowledge, understanding and experience using a range of safety tools and techniques.
The Safety Manager is a crucial member of ADT’s platform engineering team, responsible for making key engineering and safety decisions for Astute Class submarines during their building and commissioning phases. This role includes involvement in sea trials and analysis before the submarines are handed over to operational authorities. As the Safety Manager, you will own, maintain, and improve ADT’s safety engineering and management systems to ensure the platforms are approved for key events such as Launch and Exit from Barrow. You will work closely with in-service counterparts to ensure the robustness of safety and environmental arguments.
This post may be eligible for the NSQEP Recruitment Retention Allowance of up to £4000 per annum. This allowance is discretionary and will be dependent on a candidate’s ability to successfully demonstrate the necessary competency, qualifications, and experience to an independent panel of Subject Matter Experts.
You may have the opportunity to travel to various UK locations, including shipyards, dockyards, suppliers’ sites, and submarines. You may also be involved in trials, international engagement, and collaboration as part of your role.
The SDA encourages personal development in a fair and ethical environment. As a responsible employer operating in a niche area, the SDA can offer unrivalled opportunities for promotion as well as specialist technical training to support your career in engineering. Our projects span the whole submarine life cycle, from concept design through to build and in-service support. As a result, our projects can last decades, meaning we offer exceptional job stability alongside career development.
At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required 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.
What you’ll be doing
Working with colleagues at all levels to ensure compliance with relevant UK legislation and regulations, SDA and MOD policy and regulations
Providing specialist advice on the application of safety management systems
Leading the production and contributing to safety management plans and arrangements
Leading and supporting the development and management of safety cases
Contributing to the development and maintenance of policy and process to satisfy the SDA corporate standards for safety management and regulations
Providing safety management leadership to the SDA and supporting a diverse grouping of internal and external stakeholders, with possible line management responsibilities
Supporting safety assurance activities within the Astute Delivery team
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
Hold a relevant HNC (i.e. Level 4 or higher) qualification in a relevant engineering discipline, or have equivalent relevant experience
Have experience of providing safety advice and/or delivery of safety products or services in an engineering environment
Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (or equivalent) status, or the ability to obtain within 9 months of appointment.
Have experience in the use of safety management tools and processes
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
Compliance with Policy – Practitioner
Adoption of safety risk management – Practitioner
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
Flexible and hybrid working options
Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
Support for progression
Huge range of discounts
Volunteering days
Enhanced parental leave schemes
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: http://bit.ly/SDA–Candidate-Information-Pack
Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions
Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.
Selection Process Details
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:
Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
About Us
About the Team
Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.
Working for the Civil Service
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. Please click here to find out more.
DE&S/SDA and MOD Main internal applicants will need to apply through MyHR Internal Career Portal via the DE&S/SDA jobs tile. This can be found on the MyHR home page.
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