Navy - Structural Materials Investigator

Portsmouth

Job Summary

Do you have a background in materials or forensic science? How about mechanical or aerospace engineering?

Do you have a passion for communicating and sharing ideas with others to solve problems? Could you bring your scientific or engineering expertise to our diverse team to support the UK Armed Forces? If so, 1710 Naval Air Squadron wants to hear from you!

With a heritage dating back to the 1930’s and based in Portsmouth Dockyard, 1710 Naval Air Squadron is a mixed Civil Service and Military team of technical specialists from multidisciplinary backgrounds, that uses scientific and engineering reasoning to overcome UK MOD aircraft operational issues to recover, sustain and enhance aviation and military capability.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

Our Structures team is the single source for independent advice to UK military delivery teams regarding the use and performance of engineering materials in UK military aircraft to ensure that airworthiness and aircraft availability is maintained.

The Broad Nature Of The Work Carried Out By The Team Includes Rapid Failure Analysis And Advice Following Material Failures Within:

• Aircraft propulsion and other systems.
• Airframe components.
• Military land vehicles.
• Ship systems.
• Weapons
• Forensic support following aircraft accidents.
  
  

Working both as part of a team and independently, you will design and undertake investigations to identify the causes of aircraft incidents and accidents. Using the fields of materials science, forensic science and aerospace engineering you will generate; interpret and present data to inform and support your advice to equipment duty holders across UK defence.

The team provides 24/7 analysis and advice to aircraft operators and occasional weekend and some work outside normal office hours is to be expected.

Our Structures team is the single source for independent advice to UK military delivery teams regarding the use and performance of engineering materials in UK military aircraft to ensure that airworthiness and aircraft availability is maintained.

The Broad Nature Of The Work Carried Out By The Team Includes Rapid Failure Analysis And Advice Following Material Failures Within:

• Aircraft propulsion and other systems.
• Airframe components.
• Military land vehicles.
• Ship systems.
• Weapons
• Forensic support following aircraft accidents.
  
  

Working both as part of a team and independently, you will design and undertake investigations to identify the causes of aircraft incidents and accidents. Using the fields of materials science, forensic science and aerospace engineering you will generate; interpret and present data to inform and support your advice to equipment duty holders across UK defence.

The team provides 24/7 analysis and advice to aircraft operators and occasional weekend and some work outside normal office hours is to be expected.

Person specification

Responsibilities

As a Structures Specialist within our team you will be responsible for:

• Leading and developing unique scientific investigations into aircraft incidents and accidents.
• Developing appropriate testing regimes.
• Gathering and interpreting scientific data
• Developing appropriate realistic recommendations and advice suitable for the military aircraft environment
• Operation and maintenance of a wide range of analytical and scientific equipment
• Identifying new technology and promoting best practice within subject matter area
  
  

We'll support you with a team mentor who'll guide you in your structured training and professional development within the team.

Your Previous Experience Will Be Invaluable And Will Include:

• Previous experience in materials science, forensic science, aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering.
• Relevant technical knowledge such as analytical techniques or manufacturing processes.
• Strong IT skills
• A UK driving licence would be an advantage but not essential
  
  

Qualifications

We are seeking applicants with a science or engineering degree or three years equivalent practical experience in either of these fields. Strong English and Maths skills with a flexible, adaptable and inquisitive approach to work are essential. You will be required to analyse, interpret, and present scientific and engineering data to a high standard.

This exciting job opportunity in a combined civilian and military environment requires good team working skills, as well as the ability to work self-supervised on individual tasks.

Due to the large variety of military platforms the team supports, you will also have an enthusiastic, approach towards new challenges that will draw on and develop your superb communication, influencing and interpersonal skills.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Government Science and Engineering Framework Technical Skills - “Applying knowledge"
• Government Science and Engineering Framework Technical Skills - “Developing/maintaining expertise"
  
  

Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. 

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. 

Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include: 

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Chartership and accreditation support.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A competitive salary.
• A Civil Service Pension
• Generous annual leave.
• Flexible working options.
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• Onsite gym.
• Onsite parking.
• Opportunities to travel to off-site locations, conferences and courses.
  
  

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7.

Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Our Ethos:

We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for individuals with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Technical Skills and Experience. Please refer to the attached Applicants Guide for further details.

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Experience:

• CV (details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience)
• Personal Statement (Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability - max 1000 words)
  
  

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Technical Skills:

• Government Science and Engineering Framework Technical Skills - “Applying knowledge"
• Government Science and Engineering Framework Technical Skills - “Developing/maintaining expertise"
  
  

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [email protected] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Applications will be assessed following the closing date and if successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to interview.

Interviews will be a blend of Behaviour, Technical Skills and Experience type questions. Interviews will take place at 1710 Naval Air Squadron, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth

For further information and how to apply see civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : David Pearson
• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [email protected].