Overview
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 (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear‑armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we'll achieve the extraordinary.
Role
The Chief Engineer is a critical member of the Alliance Management Committee and is Platform Authority for the SSN‑AUKUS submarine design. As Whole Boat Approving Authority with final sign off for the design and, ultimately, acceptance of performance of the submarine, this role is vital to the delivery of the SSN‑AUKUS programme. Reporting to the Managing Director of the Submarine Production Alliance but taking direct safety delegation from SDA Technical Director, the Chief Engineer is responsible for bringing together the technological problem solving capability of engineering, including science and technology, and the organisational, administrative, and planning abilities of all parties within the Alliance to deliver the programme. Importantly, the Chief Engineer will be central to the decision making of the Alliance that must balance achieving performance within fixed time and cost parameters. They must also lead on characterising and managing a number of significant technical risks, which require leadership and strategy at the Enterprise level across many parties. This is an exciting opportunity to create genuine value and be part of delivering a critical capability for the Royal Navy. It is a prestige appointment that offers an opportunity to do things differently through the Alliance organisation. The Chief Engineer manages the delivery of plans to meet the customer's capability requirements, ensuring the submarines can deliver their operational mission safely and reliably, through life. The systems integration challenge is immense and the role demands strong technical expertise and delegation skills. The Chief Engineer will directly manage a team of over 100 engineers, derived from many parent organisations and located in different locations. In addition, the Chief Engineer must be a visible leader for the detailed design teams in each industrial party, making sure their work supports the overall intent. They will need high visibility within the team (wherever they are located) and be able to provide strong leadership and manage change and, indeed, contribute directly to that change. Formulation of strategy is integral to the role.
Responsibilities
* Whole Boat Approving Authority, ensuring platform safety but also deliverability and operability, working with the Customer to trade requirements as necessary;
* Lead on developing clear mitigations for technical risks, working with each Alliance Partner to implement those;
* Lead the strategic direction and delivery of engineering aspects of the SSN‑AUKUS programme to deliver the programme objectives of performance, cost and time;
* Govern the framework within which technical requirements (definition, architecture, integration, contract assessment and management of change) are managed;
* Lead on establishing a clear and current view of the level of technical risk within the programme, enabling the Alliance Management Team to make balanced decisions. This will require close working with the Alliance Project Controls Director;
* Head of the Joint Design Authority, leading the multi‑party client engineering team to ensure and deliver alignment of the design with the three risk cases (safety, security and environmental impact);
* Ensure that engineering decisions take into account cost and schedule and ensure, on behalf of the MD, that delegated decisions are managed within clear time and cost parameters;
* Manage complex systems integration to ensure delivery to performance, cost and time;
* Ensure that in‑service availability, supportability and cost of ownership are considered in the finalising of the design, and establish feedback from in‑service support to design is operating;
* Ensure effective and robust configuration management for the SSN‑AUKUS submarine during build.
Delivery Capability
Whilst not exhaustive, the following capabilities and demonstrable competence will be required for successful execution of the role, Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Assessment process
* Shortlisting: All applications will be reviewed by the selection panel who will consider the evidence provided by the candidates against the essential criteria to determine a shortlist.
* Interview: Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will include the requirement to prepare a presentation for which they will normally be given at least one week's notice of the subject.
* Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.
* Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Assignment duration
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 4 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
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 developed vetting (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.
Essential criteria
1. Experience in engineering leadership on large complex programmes with an understanding of design, build and commissioning and, critically, of complex systems integration.
2. Knowledge of large‑scale project delivery through experience in manufacturing engineering or operations.
3. Demonstrable blend of delivery, engineering and commercial capabilities with a background in high complexity and high hazard products such as nuclear submarines, maritime platforms or similar domains/industries.
4. The skills to apply Systems Thinking in a major delivery area and organisational life cycle management and the application of quality management and assurance in defence supply chains.
5. Possess authority and credibility to inspire confidence and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
6. Outstanding organisational and leadership abilities as well as evidence of delivering strategic direction through an inclusive approach.
Qualifications and memberships
Chartered Engineer and Member of relevant engineering institution
Benefits
* Alongside your salary of £81,000, Ministry of Defence contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* Learning and development tailored to your role
* An environment with flexible working options
* A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
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