DE&S Junior Engineer

Role overview

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the UK Ministry of Defence, helps provide and sustain critical equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. The organisation supports a wide range of defence programmes with the aim of strengthening military capability now and in the future.

DE&S has been brought into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, which unites major MOD organisations across science, technology, procurement, infrastructure and support so that capabilities can be delivered more quickly and efficiently for UK forces and allies.

This position is based at Portsdown Technology Park, Southwick Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3RU.

What the role involves

You will join the Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) team and support the delivery, integration and upkeep of secure military communications systems, including Tactical Data Links (TDLs), on maritime platforms. The work includes both upgrade projects and in-service support for equipment used on Type 45 Destroyers, Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers and Type 23 Frigates.

The role is hands-on and includes the chance to work onboard vessels while they are in port. Training and courses will be provided to help you build knowledge of the systems and equipment.

This post contributes to improving operational capability for the Royal Navy and helps enable interoperability with NATO and other coalition partners.

Key duties

• Review technical issues, gather and interpret data, and help drive effective problem resolution.
• Apply risk management principles, including escalation and transfer, for risks related to safety, environment, support and finance.
• Assist with shaping the design of subsystems, components or processes within practical limits of time, cost and performance.
• Take part in system testing, verification, validation and evaluation activities.
• Support the maintenance and modification of operational subsystems.
• Offer technical guidance and input to clients and stakeholders to strengthen the effectiveness of the deliverable.

Working arrangements

This role is full-time, Monday to Friday. Part-time hours cannot be accommodated because the work involves operational defect rectification that is critical to live platform operations and safety.

Regular on-site attendance is expected to support collaboration, with some flexibility where business needs allow. At the start of employment, attendance may be more frequent to help you get to know the site, team and responsibilities.

You will also need to travel regularly to other UK naval bases. Some overseas travel may be required for training or international collaboration.

Security and eligibility

For security reasons, the post is open to sole UK nationals only. Dual nationality is not permitted for this role, and visa sponsorship cannot be offered.

You must have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and be able to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. Clearance must be granted without caveats that would stop you from carrying out the role. If clearance is not obtained, or is granted with restrictions that prevent the duties from being performed, any conditional offer may be withdrawn. The clearance process can take time, and a conditional offer may also be withdrawn if the required clearance is not achieved within 12 months.

Essential criteria

• Experience of giving technical advice and delivering successful engineering outcomes.
• A minimum Level 4 qualification in a relevant discipline, such as HNC or above, or equivalent practical experience.
• Technical experience in your discipline across a variety of settings, such as communications, electronics or systems engineering.

Assessment at interview

• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC 3.
• Changing and Improving – CSBC 3.
• Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – ECF_01, Supervised Practitioner.
• Supportable Technical Solutions – ECF_03, Supervised Practitioner.

Pay and benefits

The salary is £37,600. The Ministry of Defence also contributes £10,892 toward membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

• 25 days’ annual leave plus 1 additional day per year up to a maximum of 30 days, along with 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Employer pension contribution averaging 28.97%.
• Annual performance-related bonus and recognition awards.
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications.
• Support for career progression.
• A wide range of discounts.
• Volunteering days.
• Enhanced parental leave arrangements.

Additional information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the essential criteria clearly in their CV. The selection process includes a pre-sift, CV-based sift and interview. At the interview stage, assessment will cover your CV review, the two core behaviours and the technical competencies listed above.

Successful candidates will need to declare any outside interests, which will be reviewed after interview and before any formal offer is made to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest. This is generally not a barrier to employment, but it may require mitigation.

Artificial intelligence may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate and drawn directly from your own experience. Applications may be withdrawn if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

Reasonable adjustments can be requested during the application process, and support is available for candidates who need it under the organisation’s Disability Confident commitments.

Relevant documents include the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, the candidate information pack, the terms and conditions, and the Civil Service Code.

The role is based at Portsdown Technology Park in Portsmouth.