Senior Aeronautical Engineer – P8 Foreign Liaison Officer

We are the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group). Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), we bring together a wide range of expertise to develop, deliver, and sustain the UK’s national defence capabilities. Working closely with industry, international partners, and allies, we provide the equipment, technology, and support services that enable our armed forces to operate effectively and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Visa, nationality and security vetting information for applicants

All applicants will need to meet US (United States) State Department eligibility criteria for accreditation, notably this restricts applications from dual US Nationals/Lawful Permanent Residents, candidates under the age of 20 years old, and candidates who have held or currently hold another accredited post in the USA within the 3 years prior to posting, Visa law does not recognise common-law relationships. Where only a tourist Visa is given by USA immigration, we are unable to accept the partner as 'officially recognised' and the employee is classed as unaccompanied for the overseas tour. This is in line with the current policy which states that whilst we might recognise SOWER status, we are still bound by the host countries Visa requirements, and we can only support the partner if a full Visa is provided not a tourist Visa.

For security reasons this role is open to UK nationals only, both sole UK and dual UK nationals, subject to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

Before submitting your application, it is recommended that you review the Selection Process Details and guidance on CV writing.

The tour length is 3 years.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Looking for more than just a job? Step into a role where your work has real purpose, and where your contribution directly supports UK defence interests and international partnerships.

The P-8 Poseidon is the RAF’s multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Equipped with advanced technology to detect and track threats above and below water the P-8 is designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search and rescue missions. The Poseidon Programme relies on international collaboration, with the U.S. Navy providing equipment and support to the United Kingdom.

As the Senior Aeronautical Engineer – P8 Foreign Liaison Officer, you will act as the UK Chief Engineer's representative in the United States, working closely with the US Navy, Industry and the Military Aviation Authority to deliver airworthiness, certification and engineering assurance activities. You will provide expert technical leadership, coordinate certification programmes, manage key stakeholder relationships and help ensure the continued safe operation and development of the P-8 Poseidon capability.

Central to this role is the leadership and successful delivery of a major certification programme over the next three years, requiring strategic leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to influence key partners to achieve programme objectives and ensure operational success.

As this an overseas assignment the role is full time only (37 hours per week), and a tour length of 3 years, with the successful applicant working out of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Prior to moving overseas, the successful applicant will initially spend up to two months in post in the UK to prepare for the role, gaining a baseline understanding of the P-8 Poseidon Programme in Bristol, along with visits to RAF Waddington and RAF Lossiemouth.

What you’ll be doing

• Act as the UK liaison officer building strong relationships between the P-8 Poseidon Design Organisation, Delivery Team and Military Aviation Authority (MAA).
• Represent the UK Chief Engineer in matters relating to airworthiness, certification, configuration management and engineering assurance.
• Lead and coordinate aircraft certification activities to support safe and effective capability delivery.
• Collaborate with industry and regulatory stakeholders to develop certification strategies, approve compliance evidence and deliver approval programmes.
• Lead the development and maintenance of technical instructions, air system documentation and certification artefacts.
• Manage airworthiness issues, technical incidents and design changes, ensuring appropriate action is taken.
• Manage progress, risks and key findings on behalf of senior stakeholders, including the UK Chief Engineer and MAA.

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Professionally registered with Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Evidence will be required at interview.

All qualifications, licences or memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalents will not be accepted.

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.

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 the following behaviours and technical competences will be assessed at interview:
• Core Behaviour 1: Communicating and Influencing (CSBC4)
• Core Behaviour 2: Working Together (CSBC4)
• Technical Competence 1: ECF 3.3 Technical Issues and Risk (Expert)
• Technical Competence 2: ECF 3.4 Technical Decision Making (Expert)

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.

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

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 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 read the attached ‘SOFA Restrictions’ document to confirm you are eligible to apply for this post.

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.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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 mitigation's can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights

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