Organisation: Submarine Delivery Agency
Salary: £42,600 - £45,800 per annum (plus generous benefits)
Grade: Professional II
Working Pattern: Full time, Part time, Job Share, Flexible Working
Contract Type: Permanent

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 27%, to help work 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 have 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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 a Scientist inspired to work on sophisticated, complex, and cutting-edge scientific projects? We have an incredible opportunity for you to join our Naval Authority Technology Group (NATG) and you will be responsible for supporting the development and maintenance of requirements for submarine atmosphere control including design, build and in-service support. You will also provide support in the development and or acceptance of submarine atmosphere control aspects to meet unique submarine atmosphere and toxicology requirements. As a Scientist you will get the opportunity to contribute to the design of submarine control systems that meet the Royal Navy requirements and provide recommendations in relation to submarine atmosphere control. A key part of your role will be to provide analyses, technical advice and help to optimise decision-making in submarine atmosphere control and / or technical assurance of submarine projects. 

You will be providing expert advice and guidance in submarine atmosphere control area to solve complex technical problems and identify applications risks. As a Scientist providing scientific advice to stakeholders to influence policies and processes as well as identifying technology risks and informing strategies for mitigating them. You have responsibility for evaluating the problem space, collecting, and analysing data and delivering resolution and support the implementation of these recommendations to deliver the predicted benefits. 

This is a unique role that will allow you to work at the forefront of engineering, science, and technology to solve unique technical challenges. By linking with fellow minds and allies across the world, you will play a key role in protecting submariner health and provide a significant contribution to the success of our projects.

In the SDA, continuous professional development is actively encouraged. You will have access to defined upskilling policies, routes to chartership and support to prosper.

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) 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

• Manage the delivery of all submarine atmosphere control aspects in area of responsibility including managing the acquisition safety aspects. 
• Conducting or sponsoring research to underpin development of ideas for new solutions for specific situations.
• Sharing knowledge and experience across functional and organisational boundaries and maintain relationships with industry leading experts to ensure the SDA is at the forefront of emerging technological trends. 
• Exploiting opportunities and options for future technical solutions to enhance Defence capability
• Monitoring and implementing governance and assurance policies and procedures to ensure the ‘safe & professional’ status in submarine atmosphere control. 
• Lead on the development of requirements in submarine atmosphere control including acceptance plans, performance criteria and draft specifications. 
• Provide technical leadership, governance, assurance and expert advice on complex issues supporting projects. Ensuring proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited.
• Interface with industry as the intelligent customer both in a scrutiny role and supporting the identification of application risks.

Person specification
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Extensive experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful atmosphere toxicology outcomes
• Wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in atmospheric control with knowledge and application of Systems Engineering approaches
• Chartered or Incorporated Scientist or demonstratable equivalent knowledge, skills and experience

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

• EFCF 4 Technical Decision Making - Practitioner
• EFCF 5 Technical Risk Management - Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

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 27%
• 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.

#LI-Hybrid

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: http://bit.ly/SDA--Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection Process Details
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Offering at a lower level
If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.