Systems Integration Dreadnought Technical Lead

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The primary delivery location for this position is BAE Systems Submarines, Barrow, Cumbria.

Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

Job description

The post holder is responsible for the control of key technical outputs, system integration and test, configuration management, facility certification, weapon inspections, and work to support full-service use required under the Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA) to submarines. In fulfilment of these responsibilities the post holder is required to lead a diverse team of specialist engineering and Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) skills and is responsible for the delivery of the following Trident Systems Project Team (TSPT) Dreadnought Project Management Plan (PMP) engineering and related IM/IT outputs, specifically in build:

• Design Change Management
• Configuration Control
• Technical Documentation Management “first provision” to Dreadnought
• Maintenance Planning development and “first provision” to Dreadnought
• Integrated Testing and analysis for Dreadnought
• Build activity audit and evaluation
• Technical Support to Equipment Authority (EA) and TSPT Dreadnought Project Management Plan (PMP) for all the above and leading the US support to Shipyard Installation and Integration and Testing Phases 1-8, inclusive of Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASO)
• Technical Support to TSPT for the management of the Successor Technical Exchange (SUTEX) and subordinate working groups to secure and de-risk the US supply of the Strategic Weapon System included within the Common Missile Compartment.

Responsibilities:

The post holder is a lead technical specialist and engineering role within TSPT that develops and implements engineering policy and standards to ensure that the interfaces between the Strategic Weapons System (SWS) and platform are delivered and that the SWS and supporting Strategic Weapons Support System (SWSS)/Ship Selected Systems (SSS) meet the overall technical objectives to deliver a safe and effective weapons system for use in fleet-time through Installation Test Requirements Outline (ITRO) and Shipyard Installation Test Programme (SITP) adherence.

The role develops and authorises the SDA policies that implement the technical requirements of the PSA for Dreadnought submarine platforms including their associated build and in-service support facility interfaces. These include the following key areas:

• Technical and safety assurance for the SWS and associated interfaces through rigorous system testing and analysis
• Technical compliance for the submarine and associated support facilities to assure the UK has robust through life nuclear weapon support capability.
• An integrated configuration management system for the SWS and interfacing systems.
• SWS and supporting systems maintenance procedures, failure analysis system and procurement of specialist equipment to validate system availability, reliability and maintainability.
• SWS design change to support platform and warhead system capability programmes.
• Management of the technical and programme information necessary to develop and maintain the nuclear weapon capability.
• The role leads on discussion with US and UK stakeholders to ensure the continued safety and availability of the SWS and ensure risks are captured and managed appropriately.
• The role is required to maintain a deep technical understanding of the interfacing equipment, including the submarine platform and nuclear warhead to maintain compatibility and deliver an effective nuclear Deterrent.
• Undertake necessary training and development opportunities to increase Nuclear, SWS and Safety Suitably Qualified Experienced Personnel (SQEP) across the submarine enterprise to provide lead engineering for SWS and interfacing systems.
• To deliver effectively into the submarine programme, the role is to remain current on each of the above disciplines, be conversant with modern safety practices and proactively foster a Nuclear Weapon System Safety Culture within the engineering function of TSPT
• Support the implementation of the SDA Engineering Standards and Strategies.
  Authorise and implement TSPT Policy and processes for SWS/SWSS engineering Design Change, Configuration Management, Weapon System Testing and SWS capability Evaluation
• Implement the benefits of the Systems of Systems Approach (SOSA) Design Principles. Follow policy set by the TSPT-Chief Engineer (CE) utilising any appropriate specialist resources to achieve delivery.
• Implement the use of Guide for Engineering Activities and Review (GEAR) to the Programme as an acceptable approach to Engineering Planning and Review and Assurance.

We welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions. Due to the designated working area level for this role known as Information Protection Zone (IPZ) permission will need to be sought for any medical devices or assistive technology to be used in the IPZ. This is because the type of technology used is prohibited due to security. Permission is granted on a case by case basis and it is an essential function of the role to be able to work in the designated IPZ area.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

Successful applicants for this role may be eligible for a Trident Specialist Allowance (TSA) or Trident Chartership (TCA) if eligibility criteria are satisfied. TSA and TCA are non-contractual, non consolidated, discretionary payments which may be withdrawn at any time.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Person specification

For this role, we are seeking the following:

• Extensive experience, including operating as a manager in a complex organisation
• Breadth of technical knowledge spanning multiple disciplines and of working in a variety of teams, operational environments.
• Have extensive experience of working with internal and external stakeholders

Essential Criteria:

• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration
• Member of a relevant Professional Engineering/Science Institute or equivalent body
• Relevant Level 6 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of