Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA) Principal Engineer

Job summary

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see - or those you can’t. From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today, and prepare for tomorrow. CSOC unites Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force - acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command.

The newly established Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force is seeking an exceptional Principal Engineer to lead the Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA). This is a rare opportunity to shape a critical Defence function at the forefront of cyber and electromagnetic operations, ensuring the UK Armed Forces retain assured access to the electromagnetic spectrum across training, operations, and future capability development. As Head of DEMA, you will provide engineering leadership across Defence's electromagnetic activities, influencing policy, capability development, operational delivery and spectrum management at strategic levels. You will work closely with senior Defence leaders, government departments, regulators, NATO partners and international allies to ensure Defence remains effective in an increasingly contested electromagnetic environment.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Are you an experienced engineering leader with a passion for delivering operational advantage through the effective management and protection of the electromagnetic spectrum? Do you thrive in complex environments, leading organisational change while developing high-performing teams? If so, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to influence Defence capability and operational effectiveness at a national and international level. You will:

• Provide strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary civilian and military workforce, delivering engineering excellence across complex Cyber-Electromagnetic (CyEM) and multi-domain challenges.
• Act as Defence's senior engineering authority for electromagnetic management and protection services, shaping capability acquisition and enabling operational success.
• Contribute to the development and evolution of CyEM concepts, doctrine, and associated strategies.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends within the CyEM environment, ensuring informed decision-making and effective delivery.
• Build and sustain influential relationships with senior leaders across Defence, government, industry, NATO and allied partners.
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement and organisational transformation to enhance capability, productivity and operational effectiveness.
• Create an inclusive, high-performing culture that empowers people, develops talent and encourages constructive challenge.
• Support organisational change and adapt effectively to evolving priorities and operational requirements.

Person specification

Technical and Professional Experience

• A proven engineering leader with experience delivering outcomes in complex, multi-domain environments.
• Deep expertise in electromagnetic spectrum management and protection.
• Strong understanding of the operational and strategic application of electromagnetic capabilities.
• Authoritative knowledge of the CyEM domain.
• A track record of influencing CyEM concepts, doctrine, policy, strategy or capability development.

Qualifications

A Level 6 qualification in Science or Engineering.

Memberships

Chartered Engineer (CEng) is essential; working towards may be considered by exception.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• GSE - Developing science and engineering capability at Leader (L4)
• GSE - Broad thinking at Leader (L4)
• GSE - Technical oversight and management at Leader (L4)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• A market skills allowance of up to £9k per annum may be applicable, paid in increments upon reaching agreed criteria.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

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.

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