SDA In-Service Submarines Deputy Platform Chief Engineer

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UKs nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UKs 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 well achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The ISM Deputy Platform Chief Engineer (DPCE) is a Safety Responsible Engineer within the in-service delivery team responsible for supporting the Platform Chief Engineer (PCE) to lead the Platform Design Authorities and supporting teams. You will be a key member of the in-service delivery leadership group providing professional engineering direction, guidance and advice to wide range of stakeholders. Along with PCE you will lead a large multidisciplinary team and manage a significant engineering programme. This is a role with significant responsibility for, and involvement in, assuring the delivery of Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) and Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSNs) at High Readiness. The role requires the incumbent to be assessed as safety responsible and could potentially hold Major System Approving Authority (MSAA) for Platform Systems.

The scope of the role includes leading the following key areas:

Design Authority and engineering team, in this aspect you will support the Chief Engineer as current head of the platform systems Major System Approving Authority (MSAA) for in-service Platforms. Responsible for managing the platform systems design intent across 3 Classes of submarine including coordination of whole boat design authority requirements and ownership of whole boat design management processes (e.g. design change). Direct Leadership responsibilities for a team circa 5, with 100+ engineers within the wider Design Authority (DA).

The role includes the following responsibilities:
• Development, maintenance and delivery of ISMs engineering programme.
• Management of In-Service Submarines (ISM) Engineering controls activities (engineering and configuration policy, enabling functions e.g. workflows etc)
• Adherence of In-Service Submarine (ISM) technical delivery to the relevant business procedures and Authorisation Condition Compliance Contribution Statements.
• Delivery and realisation of the benefit of Business Improvement projects (i.e. maintenance optimisation, In-Water Engineering)

Whilst deputising you will be responsible for:
• Provision of sound technical advice to the Platform Authority to ensure for delivery of timely and effective support to the Submarine Fleet to maintain safe, capable and available submarine platforms.
• Specifying work and actions required to maintain the design and material state of all platform systems on In Service Submarines such that they are “Safe to Operate” whilst minimising the effect on availability.
• Delivery of engineering support management arrangements to support operation of in-service submarines as the Subject Matter expert SME and Major Systems Approving Authority for Platform Systems.
• Delegated authority to take decisions up to Significance Level 4 in accordance with In-Service Submarine (ISM) Technical Governance for Platform Systems.

Safety Management support the Platform Authority (PA) in fulfilling the duty holder facing role, through safety responsible delegation, for ensuring all platforms are safe to operate by providing safety and environmental protection assurance of the design, system and equipment integration to ensure the platform is demonstrably ALARP.

Engineering Programme support the Platform Chief Engineer (PCE) in delivery of a programme of engineering activity including several large engineering projects and pan-flotilla platform systems design change activities. You will be the lead on In Water Engineering (IWE), Maintenance Optimisation (MO) and platform systems design change.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

For this role, we are seeking the following:

Essential Skills:
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration.
• Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body.
• Experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes in multidisciplinary projects.
• A broad knowledge of the interconnectedness of systems and an understanding of management of risk across the platform. They will often need to understand supply chain, infrastructure and other factors beyond the obvious responsibilities of the role.
• Experience in leading effective engineering governance, e.g. Safety and Environmental, Compliance, Technical and Quality Assurance, to support major projects.

Desirable Skills:
• Experience in leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments at pace.
• Knowledge and experience of projects/programmes/portfolio delivery, including major projects in a complex environment.
• The ability to work under pressure and at pace.
• Relevant Level 6 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience.