Are you a naval architect looking to work on cutting-edge defence projects? This is an exciting opportunity to join Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), where you will play a pivotal role in delivering critical capabilities for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. You will be part of a dedicated team of engineers tackling unique technical challenges and introducing innovative methods and technologies to support naval operations. Managed within a specialist skills group, you will be assigned to high-profile projects based on organisational priorities and your own development goals, whether in ship acquisition or through-life support, ensuring you experience the full spectrum of naval architecture challenges. You will lead and support engineering activities across total-ship design and operation, focusing on the effective integration of all components required for warships and boats to perform as intended. You will apply your expertise to manage risk throughout the acquisition life-cycle, ensuring adherence to standards and rules while providing guidance to MOD and industry designers and builders. Specialisms associated within this role may include Concept Design, Ship Structures, Hydrodynamics, Stability, Ship Construction and Repair, Ship Survivability, Boats and Small Craft Design, Maritime Escape, Evacuation and Rescue, Emergency Response and Salvage. As a naval architect, your leadership, communication, and influencing skills will be essential in building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, obtaining, and sharing critical information, and driving project success. There will be opportunities to travel to various UK locations, including ships, shipyards and dockyards, to support project delivery. We champion flexible working arrangements, requiring a minimum of three days in-person attendance to foster collaboration while supporting work-life balance. Initially, you may need to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site, team, and role. What youll be doing Apply legislation, policy, and standards to guarantee safety, security, environmental compliance, and interoperability across systems in a highly regulated environment. Identify and analyse complex technical hazards and project impacts, contribute to risk reduction measures, and ensure these are fully documented and understood. Produce and review technical artefacts, models, layouts, and reports as part of assurance and acceptance activities. Provide expert technical advice on ship structures, hydrostatics, and hydrodynamics, supporting design decisions and assurance processes. Mentor and support the development of junior naval architects and entry-level talent. Collaborate closely with the Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) and Classification Societies to establish and maintain certification. Person specification To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria : Hold a Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4 (Lead criterion) Demonstrable wide-ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful Naval Architecture outcomes Belong to a relevant Professional body/institution related to your discipline, be professionally registered as either: o Incorporated Engineer (IEng), or higher or o Incorporated Marine Engineering (IMarEng), or higher Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC. In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview: Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions - CSBC 3 ( 1st) Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace - CSBC 3 Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 (1.3) Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Practitioner level Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 (3.3) Supportable Technical Solutions - Practitioner level Benefits Alongside your salary of 46,400, Ministry of Defence contributes 13,442 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 25 days annual leave 1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the Kings birthday Flexible and hybrid working options Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97% 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 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 Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles - Civil Service Commission Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions Civil Service Code: The Code - Civil Service Commission 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 Artificial intelligence 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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 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 use the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission 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. 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. 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 : Gary Roberts Email : gary.roberts138@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : gary.roberts138@mod.gov.uk Attachments 20250527 Success Profile Behaviours 2025 document v1-O Opens in new window (pdf, 704kB) 20250925-ECF V2.0 Opens in new window (pdf, 531kB) Apply at advertiser's site