Navy – Maritime Capability Trials and Assessment - Guns Trials Engineer

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your engineering skills in direct support of the Royal Navy (RN) front line? The RN Maritime Capability, Trials and Assessment (MCTA) organisation is looking for hard-working engineers and technicians to join our highly professional team of Trials Officers to go onboard ships in harbour and at sea, around UK and occasionally overseas, to inspect the ship-fitted guns and similar equipment in readiness for operations worldwide. This trials officer role is an exciting one conducting inspections on the full range of guns fitted to ships from Heavy Machine Guns through to 30mm Small Calibre Guns, with potential to extend into Medium Calibre Guns such as 4.5 Mk 8 and will bring you into contact with current and future RN ships and technologies. 

MCTA is a fast-paced team of Military and Civil Servants led by a Royal Navy Captain, who face a constantly evolving vista of work carrying out assessment and assurance of equipment on aircraft carriers, warships, and smaller military vessels. 

This role would suit applicants of an engineering / technical background with an interest in maintaining standards in guns fitted to ships and associated gun systems, with opportunities to broaden into OME and other equipment and systems. For external applicants the post is available as a permanent Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) civilian position.

You'll be based at HMNB Portsmouth, one of the oldest and busiest naval bases in the world. It is home to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales) alongside destroyers, frigates, and specialist squadrons. As a vibrant hub of maritime power and innovation, Portsmouth sustains the Fleet and supports thousands of personnel.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This role delivers assessments of guns and gun systems, requiring high professional standards and through-career training and development.  This needs to be supported by the ability to work independently, and good leadership and communication skills that have been proven in a team working environment. This is a challenging but rewarding role that also provides the opportunity for personal development and the ability to improve and progress your career. 

Whilst based in Victory Building in Portsmouth, the role is required to visit other locations around the UK and on occasions abroad to conduct assurance visits and progress meetings. Weekend working and nights away at sea and in other locations may be required. 

There is also an option to base this position out of Grenville Block, HMNB Devonport, Plymouth with regular visits to Victory Building. 

The main tasks of the Trials Officers are to:  

• conduct inspections as a professional engineer with an extensive knowledge of the operation and performance of the systems relevant to the role. 
• apply general engineering perspective to all trials. 
• compile trials related defect lists, discussing with the shipbuilder/refitting authority/ ship to establish content, priority and liability. 
• attend post trials meetings to assist in the agreement of responsibilities for defect rectification and outstanding trials, and to acquaint those authorities concerned with the assessment, conclusion and subsequent actions necessary to complete those inspections and trials. 
• lead and assist in the compilation of Trials Reports, including proofing of section trial reports before sending for staffing. 
• provide advice on trial contents and conduct to relevant authorities and ship staffs. 
• conduct analysis of gun performance. 
• conduct trials beyond the role’s primary area in support of the wider Weapons Systems group (WS Group) on, once qualified, other RN systems and equipment, including new capabilities. 
• interact with a wide range of authorities and personnel to resolve problems and ensure that current MOD policies are followed in the conduct of day to day business. 

The post holder is expected to have an informed opinion on matters that affect MCTA and the Directorate as a whole and contribute to initiatives to improve the conduct and cost of business activities. 

Person specification

The successful candidate must be medically fit to conduct trials at sea. An ENG1 medical is required but can be conducted on completion of a successful interview. 

The successful applicant will ideally have, or be willing to work towards, developing their knowledge on all equipment associated with Guns. 

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone. 

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. 

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

HND in Engineering or equivalent

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes

£10,927 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).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

HMNB Portsmouth combines strong community spirit with convenient facilities. Enjoy on‑site parking, a shuttle service between HMS Excellent and the Naval Base, and the chance to join the HMS Excellent Wardroom. Stay active with a free fitness suite and unwind at the on‑site bistro or hairdresser. Nursery provision and access to places of worship ensure a supportive and inclusive environment.

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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.

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

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement . (250 words)

At sift , you will be assessed against your CV and Personal Statement  and the following Behaviours :

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

At interview you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving

This vacancy will require selected applicants to attend an interview in Victory Building in Portsmouth.  

Suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly. 

Applications must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. 

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.

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 spons