Full-Time Deputy Head of Engineering
Job Description
Salary
£64, 600 – £76,000
Job description
DE&S require a highly competent and experienced Engineer to be the Ships Domain’s Deputy Head of Engineering. Are you looking for a complex and challenging role working at a National Scale? Do you want to be part of a diverse, multi-disciplined team and play a key role in supporting the security of the UK? If you have the pride, passion and commitment to be part of an exciting organisation at the forefront of supporting our national security then we want to hear from you.
The Ships Head of Engineering is directly accountable to Chief of Material Ships, and functionally to the DE&S Director of Engineering and Safety, for delivery of a wide range of engineering services and for providing governance and assurance covering all engineering activity undertaken in the Ships Domain. DE&S are looking for the right person to fill the Deputy Head position to undertake the responsibilities set out below and to deputise for the Head of Engineering when required. Individuals with the appropriate professional background may be called upon to lead a DE&S Technical Discipline which would involve providing professional development leadership to all DE&S and Submarine Delivery Agency engineers in that discipline. From this perspective an electrical engineering background is preferred, but other technical disciplines, such as marine engineering or combat systems, will be of equal interest.
The successful applicant will, after this initial assignment of 3-4 years, be eligible for deployment to other engineering leadership roles.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Ships Head of Engineering, the Deputy Head of Engineering will be responsible for:
• Planning and coordinating engineering assurance activity, to provide independent advice to the Chief of Material Ships at major decision points that project proposals are sound, from a technical, safety and deliverability perspective
• Undertaking targeted project health-checks, to provide independent assurance to senior stakeholders that major engineering delivery risks have adequate mitigation strategies
• Coordinating development of a Ships Technology Strategy, to ensure naval customer capability goals will be met and, where relevant, liaising with other nations with shared goals
• Developing and delivering strategies, to make ships engineering activity more sustainable within the resources available, including challenging organisational structures, engineering processes and practices, etc.
• Providing expert technical advice to delivery teams in your personal areas of expertise, e.g. on the application of relevant engineering standards
• Acting as deputy to the Head of Engineering, including representation at relevant boards and committees, providing management cover during leave periods, etc.
• Providing engineering leadership to the c.500 engineers in the Ships Domain, but mainly focused through the Project Chief Engineer community
• Supporting the Engineering Function with, for example, recruitment and promotion interviews, professional mentoring, etc.
What you will be assessed against
To be found successful you must demonstrate the following essential criteria:
• Chartered Engineer with full membership of a relevant professional institute
• Significant experience of engineering management and leading successful delivery preferably in a marine environment
• Experience of providing technical advice and of decision-making at senior levels of responsibility
• Knowledge, coupled with a breadth of experience, in using or advising on the use/tailoring of engineering policy, processes, tools and techniques
• Strong leadership and communication skills, particularly the ability to confidently engage people at all levels up to 3* (Vice Admiral and equivalents), and to enrol people in new ideas, ways of working, etc.
It would benefit your application should you be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:
• Hold a relevant Level 6 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience in establishing or operating engineering governance arrangements, including participation in independent technical reviews
• Experience of developing engineering management plans and resource planning
• Have familiarity with maritime safety and environmental regulatory frameworks.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be assessed against the following technical competencies:
• Technical Decision Making
• Technical Risk Management
If you are invited to an interview, you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions
What’s in it for you?
You will receive a generous benefits package including market leading employer pension contributions of around 21% of your salary (not including any personal contribution), annual bonuses, a flexible working pattern to fit you where possible, 25 days holiday +1 additional day every year you work up to 30 days with opportunity for movement and promotion. Some of our sites include an onsite gym, onsite restaurants, cafes and much more.
Find out more about what we offer by clicking here or by using ‘The Little Book of Big Benefits’ booklet PDF at the bottom of this page.
Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.
About your team
Cutting-edge engineering and science is a critical component in delivering modern, battle-winning technologies to all branches of the armed forces. Engineering is the largest business area within DE&S – and it’s one of the most fulfilling too. From managing technical risks, engineering resources and services, to defining and assuring best practice, our engineers are exemplars both within DE&S and our industry partners and professional bodies.
How to Apply
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