Head of Electronic Systems Certification – Military Aviation Authority

Part of the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) is the organisation responsible for the regulation, surveillance, inspection and assurance of the Defence Air operating and technical domains. It ensures the safe design and use of military air systems.

As the single regulatory authority responsible for regulating all aspects of Air Safety across Defence, the MAA has full oversight of all Defence aviation activity. Through independent audit and continuous surveillance of military aviation, the MAA aims to provide the Secretary of State for Defence (SOS), through Director General DSA (DG DSA), the necessary assurance that appropriate standards of Air safety are maintained in delivering operational capability.

The Certification Division (Cert Div) has responsibility for: developing the regulation and undertaking certification of all new military air systems and Major Changes as defined by regulation to type designs; developing the regulation for and undertaking assurance of aircraft structural, propulsion and systems integrity; the sponsorship, management and maintenance of UK aircraft design and airworthiness standards; and developing the regulation for and undertaking assurance of ships’ aviation facilities and capabilities, acting as the Naval Authority – Aviation as defined in JSP 430.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to head our Electronic Systems (ES) Branch within the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). This is a senior role at the centre of aviation safety and regulation, responsible for shaping how critical air systems are assured across the military air environment.

As Head of Branch, you will lead a multidisciplinary team providing regulation, certification assurance, and expert advice across avionics systems, aviation software, air traffic management equipment, aircraft weapons integration, and systems integrity. You will play a key role in ensuring that these complex systems meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and compliance.

You will set direction, manage resources, and develop your team to deliver high-quality outputs while ensuring value for money. Alongside this, you will act as the Project Certification Lead for Electronic Systems, scrutinising technical evidence and providing recommendations to support airworthiness certification decisions. You will contribute to the development and maintenance of regulation relating to systems integrity and air traffic management within the military aviation domain.

This is an opportunity to influence policy, lead technical assurance at scale, and work at the forefront of military aviation safety.

A degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant field such as mechanical, electronic, aerospace, or software engineering.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 23:55 on the closing date.

The initial application will consist of your CV and statement of suitability.

If this interests you, click on the link to apply and submit your CV which demonstrates your Career History, Qualifications and Key Achievements.

A statement of suitability is also required (no longer than 750 words) which demonstrates the below criteria;

Essential Criteria

• A degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant field such as mechanical, electronic, aerospace, or software engineering, or system safety is essential.
• To meet the requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. If you are not yet CEng, you will be expected to achieve it within 12 months, with full support provided.

Desirable Criteria

• A master's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant field such as electronic, aerospace, or software engineering, or system safety is essential.
• Knowledge and experience of the MAA Regulatory Publications.
• Have had recent engineering experience with military aircraft or employed in their support.
• Experience in Engineering Project Management.

Once submitted your application will be acknowledged by the Government Recruitment Service.

A panel will then assess your application (CV and statement of suitability) to see if you are a good match for the role.

Failure to address any or all of the Essential/Desirable criteria specified in the advert may affect your application.

Sift results are expected to be released 2 weeks from closing date.

If successful at sift, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles elements;

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Experience:

• CV
• Statement of Suitability

Technical:

• Airworthiness Competence Set - ACS1 Core Function

Interviews will take place no later than 4 weeks after the closing date, details to be confirmed.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Further information:

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

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.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. Please refer to the attached Candidate Information guide.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.