Ready to dive into a career like no other? If you're driven by innovation, thrive in high-stake environments, and inspired by the idea of working with cutting-edge subsea technology, then this is your moment. The Ministry of Defences Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled Salvage Officer to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery. As a Salvage Officer, you will lead and coordinate complex maritime recovery operations to safeguard Defence assets and maintain operational capability. Operating in high-pressure environments, you will apply specialist knowledge, strategic judgement, and resilience to protect national interests and ensure the integrity of MOD maritime platforms and infrastructure. Why join SALMO? SALMO is the MODs centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, and delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it's locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital. Whats in it for you? This is more than just a job; its a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work youll be doing. What youll be doing Requirements - Operational planning and documentation, implementation of safe systems of work and system maintenance. Legislation/Policy - Working in a highly regulated area, maintain awareness of changes in maritime legislation design & safety criteria used across MOD/Commercial. Risk - Authorised to sign off recommendations where decisions are required to cease operation/activities due to safety implications. Design Leading and providing, technical and Engineering support to tasks & projects, including salvage, towing, Remote Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles underwater operations. Stakeholder Management Leading on collaboration between DE&S and on-site client representatives. Providing accountability and supervision of contractors in operational activities. Technical Discipline - Leading as a focal point of the salvage activities subsea activities and marine operations team, instilling best practice in operations as well as the shore-based management. Person specification To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria : Holder of International Convention on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Master (unlimited) or Chief Engineer (unlimited) Lead Criterion Extensive maritime operations experience with strong naval engineering knowledge Proven ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects, and recovery missions in high pressure conditions Skilled in technical problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making with a focus on safety and operational effectiveness Strong leadership and communication skills for collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders at all levels This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions. For SALMO Retained Grade seeking promotion, please refer to Part 2, Section 10.2 of the SALMO Retained Grade Handbook. Due to the nature of this role, you are: Required to hold and maintain a two-yearly ENG1 seafarers medical (no geographical limitations) Required to enlist as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve* Expected to work extended hours as and when required in support of operational commitments Required to live within 60 minutes travelling time of the base to which you are appointed Required to hold an in-date UK driving licence Pass a HSE Dive Medical (No restrictions) Pass SALMO Dive Aptitude Test *Candidates do not need to hold this (including no prior commercial diving experience) but must have no known reasons not to achieve this within 6 months of employment Specific requirements for diving roles only In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview: Core Behaviour 1: Leadership CSBC4 Core Behaviour 2: Making effective decisions CSBC4 Technical Competence (ENG) 1: ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking Practitioner level Technical Competence (COG) 2: OHSEP Conducting Risk Assessment Practitioner level Benefits Alongside your salary of 70,300, Ministry of Defence contributes 20,365 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service See below for further details on SALMO T&Cs Flexible and hybrid working options Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97% Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards Access to specialist training and funded professional 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 youre 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 youll 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: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack SALMO Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/SALMO-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. Disability Confident: Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process. Conflicts of Interest: The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. Things you need to know Selection process details 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. Please Note : In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below: 1st: Core Behaviour 1 2nd: Core Behaviour 2 3rd: Technical Competencies 4th: CV Review In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. 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. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. 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. 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). Apply and further information 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 : Mike Ponsford Email : michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk Attachments 20250623-COG Technical Competence Framework-O Opens in new window (odt, 102kB) 20250604-Engineering Competence Framework-O Opens in new window (pdf, 198kB) Apply at advertiser's site