Maritime Technical Superintendent (x3)

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Border Security Command works to disrupt and dismantle organised immigration crime, including organised criminal gangs. We reduce illicit goods and irregular migration and deliver detection and interception at the border. We safeguard people exploited through trafficking and smuggling and help build public confidence in the UK’s border security.

The at sea fleet consists of offshore patrol vessels (Cutters); and inshore patrol vessels (Coastal Patrol Vessels), RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) and TWC’s (Tactical Watercrafts). The vessels are crewed with highly trained BSC Maritime officers who carry out maritime law enforcement, surveillance, and security duties. The Directorate operates against a wide variety of threats including drug smuggling, firearms, Organised Immigration Crime and Modern-Day Slavery.

The Maritime Engineering, Technical Support & Vessel Management Team including Logistics, operates within the broader Maritime Support Structure of BSC Maritime. This structure underpins the operational effectiveness of the UK’s maritime law enforcement capability by providing strategic, technical, and logistical support across the fleet. It brings together specialist teams responsible for vessel maintenance, procurement, compliance, and innovation, ensuring that maritime assets are safe, capable, and aligned with national security objectives. These teams foster collaboration across the directorate and with external partners, enabling a unified and agile response, while supporting the delivery of high-quality border security operations, in keeping vessels operational.

You will be accountable to the Senior Officer and Assistant Director within the Maritime Engineering, Technical Support & Vessel Management Team.

Job description

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and legally compliant maintenance and operation of various vessels, including cutters, CPVs, RHIBs, and tactical watercraft. This involves supporting senior leadership by providing technical and strategic advice on maintenance prioritisation and budget planning. The role requires close collaboration with maritime operations leadership and safety officers to integrate maintenance with operations, monitor fleet performance, and update procedures in line with regulatory changes. Additionally, the role involves leading the technical team to maintain full compliance with all legal and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities (list is not exhaustive)

• Acting as Technical Superintendent for Home Office maritime vessels, fulfilling a statutory role and ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant engineering operations across the fleet while linking vessel teams with shore-based management.
• Coordinating all planned and reactive maintenance, including repairs from defects or damage. Oversees contractors and shipyard activity to ensure work is completed safely, to specification, on time, and within budget. This would include visiting shipyards for the duration of maintenance periods to oversee quality of workmanship and periods working away from home which may involve overnight stays.
• Maintaining and reviewing operating manuals, instructions, and contingency plans to ensure they remain accurate, up to date, and aligned with current legislation and operational needs.
• Supporting the development of Chief Engineers by sharing best practice, highlighting common fleet issues, monitoring performance, and promoting consistent engineering standards and capability across vessels.
• Overseeing defect reporting, evaluates issues, and determines appropriate corrective actions. Identifies trends, prioritises repairs, and works to improve vessel reliability and minimise operational disruption.
• Ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, including Workboat Code and MCA certification. Works with Finance and Commercial teams to forecast maintenance costs, audit invoices, oversee refit periods, and manage procurement while maintaining value for money.

Working Pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work [3 days] per week due to business requirements.

Allowances

Maritime Skills Allowance of £5,000 (Level 2, Track B) per year subject to maintenance of the mandatory qualifications.

Please note that these allowances may be subject to change in line with Home Office policies and procedures.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in vessel and project management in a maritime and/or ship repair/building environment.
• Understanding and experience of Procurement and Contract Management.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and creativity in solving problems and positivity when taking care of change.
• Confidently managing potentially difficult and challenging situations with colleagues and stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria

• Thinking in an objective and analytical manner.
• Managing difficult and challenging situations.

Qualifications

•Marine Engineering Certificate of Competency STCW III/2 or III/3, at chief engineer level or equivalent
•ENG1 (unrestricted)
•In date STCW certification to maintain CoC.
•HELM (O or M)

Candidates must hold or be willing to work towards:

•Diploma in Ships Superintendency - Desirable
•Project management qualifications. Prince2 Agile
The following are highly desirable.
•International Safety Management Lead Auditor course
•Shipboard Safety Officer or ISOH Managing Safely course.

If invited to interview, you must provide valid evidence of the above qualifications. After booking your interview, the vacancy holder will email you to request copies. Failure to submit these in advance will result in withdrawal of your application.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with se