Principal Specialist - Innovation Autonomy

Job summary

Do you have experience in the design, operation, assurance or regulation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), remotely operated vessels, robotics or autonomous systems?

Are you excited by the opportunity to help shape the safe integration of UK maritime regulation, such as the implementation of MGN 664 and Workboat Code 3 Annex 2 for autonomous and remotely operated vessels?

Have you led technical assessments, safety cases, systems engineering activities or engineering analysis for emerging technologies, influencing senior stakeholders and shaping strategic outcomes?

Can you translate complex technical concepts into clear guidance, working with industry, government and innovators to drive the future of maritime technology?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy, within the Technical Maritime Services Directorate (UKTMS) to help shape the UK's regulatory approach to MASS and remotely operated vessels. The post sits at the forefront of maritime innovation and is responsible for assessing novel and innovative autonomous vessel safety cases, leading technical assurance activities, supporting routes to commercial certification of vessels, and contributing to the future development of UK and international autonomous vessel regulation. The role will include close liaison with the UK Maritime Innovation Hub within UK Customer Maritime Services (UKCMS) as well as providing advice to Marine Office staff, MCA internal and external stakeholders.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

As a Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy, you will lead the assessment and integration of autonomous and emerging maritime technologies, providing expert technical assurance, policy support and regulatory guidance. Working closely with industry, government and MCA stakeholders, you will help shape safe, innovative and sustainable maritime operations, support complex certification and safety case projects, and contribute to the development of future-focused regulations, including those relating to decarbonisation and alternative fuels.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1.Contributing to the management of Survey Operations in the delivery of technical and management initiatives and assisting with the steering of cultural change in Marine Offices to fully implement MCAs operational and transformational business objectives.

2.Providing technical, innovate and operation advise within Tech Ops and the UK Maritime Innovation Hub, liaising across Agency, Government and external stakeholders.

3.Playing a key role in the management and processing of safety cases including MGN 664 work and associated Quality Assurance process

4.Supporting ISO accreditation and ensuring readiness for internal and external audits.

5.Providing detailed technical specialist support to UKTMS surveyors and Marine Office Surveyors with survey/certification issues or complex cases involving innovative technologies.

6.Supporting requests for information around other future/emerging technologies and their potential impact on regulation.

7.Representing the UK and providing specialist technical support at internal and external meetings, including drafting and presentation of substantive papers.

8.Contributing to MCA technical training programmes for surveyors and UKTMS/UKCMS business plan activities and objectives.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Engineering degree to Masters level (Meng, MSc) or equivalent experience of a technical specialism with proven experience of working with emerging technologies or experience and understanding of the maritime industry from working within a technical capacity in the industry and can demonstrate an understanding of relevant engineering concepts
• Carrying out detailed engineering analysis/modelling/research
• Working with risk-based assessment or safety case processes
• Communicating with a range of senior stakeholders and decision makers
• Working with ambiguity and articulating the links between your work and wider strategic goals with internal & external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of engineering systems relevant or transferable to maritime decarbonization/digitalisation.
• Working in the absence of defined/prescriptive processes and standards.
• Understanding and basic knowledge of the Maritime Regulation process at National and International level
• Proven ability leading on challenges within your specialist field.
• Translating complex technical content in an accessible and impactful way.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 32 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of th e locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. Ther e may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

There will be work/travel on official duty within the UK and short-term overseas visits, which may involve overnight stays away from home.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa . Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

• Licences
• A valid passport for international travel
• Driving licence valid for driving in the UK

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes

£16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at MCA (opens in a new window).

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

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

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following: • Experience of risk-based assessment or safety case processes
• Experience in carrying out detailed engineering analysis/modelling/research
• Experience of working with ambiguity and articulating the links between their work and wider strategic goals with internal & external stakeholders.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Experience in carrying out detailed engineering analysis/modelling/research.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will take place week commencing 12/10/2026.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Behaviour: Changing and Improving. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place 26/10/2026 and 27/10/2026.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window) .

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if yo