DE&S Salvage Officer
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 8th December 2025


Details
Reference number
438050
Salary
£70,300
per annum (pro rata), plus generous benefits. Existing civil servants should refer to the Further Information document for salary details.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Job grade
Other
Pofessional I
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
MOD - Defence Equipment & Support - Engineering - SALMO
Type of role
Engineering
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Location
HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, Devon PL2 2BG


About the job
Job summary
At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes and strive for what’s next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.
We offer 26.5+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 28.97%, to help work work for you.
Nationality, visas, and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ’sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.
SC clearance: 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 for which you’ve been recruited. 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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.


Job description
Ready to dive into a career like no other? If you’re driven by innovation, thrive in high-stake environments, and inspired by the idea of working with cutting-edge subsea technology, then this is your moment. The Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled Salvage Officer to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery.
As a Salvage Officer, you will lead and coordinate complex maritime recovery operations to safeguard Defence assets and maintain operational capability. Operating in high-pressure environments, you will apply specialist knowledge, strategic judgement, and resilience to protect national interests and ensure the integrity of MOD maritime platforms and infrastructure.
Why join SALMO? SALMO is the MOD’s centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, and delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it’s locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital.
What’s in it for you? This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.


What you’ll be doing
*Requirements - Operational planning and documentation, implementation of safe systems of work and system maintenance.
*Legislation/Policy - Working in a highly regulated area, maintain awareness of changes in maritime legislation design & safety criteria used across MOD/Commercial.
*Risk - Authorised to sign off recommendations where decisions are required to cease operation/activities due to safety implications.
*Design – Leading and providing, technical and Engineering support to tasks & projects, including salvage, towing, Remote Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles underwater operations.
*Stakeholder Management – Leading on collaboration between DE&S and on-site client representatives. Providing accountability and supervision of contractors in operational activities.
*Technical Discipline - Leading as a focal point of the salvage activities subsea activities and marine operations team, instilling best practice in operations as well as the shore-based management.


Person specification
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
*Holder of International Convention on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Master (unlimited) or Chief Engineer (unlimited) – Lead Criterion
*Extensive maritime operations experience with strong naval engineering knowledge
*Proven ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects, and recovery missions in high pressure conditions
*Skilled in technical problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making with a focus on safety and operational effectiveness
*Strong leadership and communication skills for collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders at all levels