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 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.
Nationality, visas, and vetting: 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 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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
Are you a naval architect looking to work on cutting-edge defence projects? This is an exciting opportunity to join Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), where you will play a pivotal role in delivering critical capabilities for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
You will be part of a dedicated team of engineers tackling unique technical challenges and introducing innovative methods and technologies to support naval operations. Managed within a specialist skills group, you will be assigned to high-profile projects based on organisational priorities and your own development goals, whether in ship acquisition or through-life support, ensuring you experience the full spectrum of naval architecture challenges.
You will lead and support engineering activities across total-ship design and operation, focusing on the effective integration of all components required for warships and boats to perform as intended. You will apply your expertise to manage risk throughout the acquisition life-cycle, ensuring adherence to standards and rules while providing guidance to MOD and industry designers and builders.
Specialisms associated within this role may include Concept Design, Ship Structures, Hydrodynamics, Stability, Ship Construction and Repair, Ship Survivability, Boats and Small Craft Design, Maritime Escape, Evacuation and Rescue, Emergency Response and Salvage.
As a naval architect, your leadership, communication, and influencing skills will be essential in building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, obtaining, and sharing critical information, and driving project success. There will be opportunities to travel to various UK locations, including ships, shipyards and dockyards, to support project delivery.
We champion flexible working arrangements, requiring a minimum of three days in-person attendance to foster collaboration while supporting work-life balance. Initially, you may need to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site, team, and role.
What you’ll be doing
*Apply legislation, policy, and standards to guarantee safety, security, environmental compliance, and interoperability across systems in a highly regulated environment.
*Identify and analyse complex technical hazards and project impacts, contribute to risk reduction measures, and ensure these are fully documented and understood.
*Produce and review technical artefacts, models, layouts, and reports as part of assurance and acceptance activities.
*Provide expert technical advice on ship structures, hydrostatics, and hydrodynamics, supporting design decisions and assurance processes.
*Mentor and support the development of junior naval architects and entry-level talent.
*Collaborate closely with the Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) and Classification Societies to establish and maintain certification.
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
*Hold a Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4 (Lead criterion)
*Demonstrable wide-ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful Naval Architecture outcomes
*Belong to a relevant Professional body/institution related to your discipline, be professionally registered as either:
o Incorporated Engineer (IEng), or higher
or
o Incorporated Marine Engineering (IMarEng), or higher
Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
*Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions - CSBC 3 (1st)
*Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace - CSBC 3
*Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 (1.3) Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Practitioner level
*Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 (3.3) Supportable Technical Solutions - Practitioner level