Navy Command, HMS Nelson Small Arms Maintainer 1

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority responsible for generating the Royal Navy’s operational capability, Director Force Generation ensures ships, submarines, aviation, commando forces, and supporting elements achieve the required levels of readiness. By balancing capability, risk, and operational demand, the directorate provides assured force output and acts as the Fleet’s scheduling authority, ensuring the Royal Navy can deliver whenever and wherever required.

You'll be based at HMNB Portsmouth, one of the oldest and busiest naval bases in the world. It is home to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales) alongside destroyers, frigates, and specialist squadrons. As a vibrant hub of maritime power and innovation, Portsmouth sustains the Fleet and supports thousands of personnel.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Are you an experienced Quality professional with a passion for excellence in maritime defence? If so, we have an inspiring opportunity for you to join Navy Command. In return, we offer stability, career progression, and access to world-class training and development. Step into a role where your work truly matters, ensuring the Royal Navy remains ready, resilient, and capable of protecting the UK’s interests at sea.

Naval Base Commander Portsmouth (NBC(P)) provides an armoury facility to support large lodger units at readiness and individual personnel to deploy into conflict areas with individual personal weapon systems. This facility also supports front line units conducting continuation training whilst alongside in HMNBP.

This role is operate and manage the armoury in HMS NELSON conducting appropriate maintenance routines of all small arms to ensure 85% availability across all weapon outfits; to manage the correct issue and receipt of all weapons and ancillaries (including timely preparation, delivery and collection of assets to and from the airhead); to remain up to date on weapons maintenance policy and procedure such that routine inspections and assurance visits by both Navy Command and Small Arms School Corps are successful and assure Command; to monitor AinU levels; to compile timely and accurate assessments of equipment; to manage and control all weapon outfits, including Specialist Tools and Testing Equipment (STTE); and to maintain and prepare 3lb saluting platforms at 6 hours notice to fire in direct support of national events as a Primary Saluting Station. This last element of the role means that a driving licence is essential to allow for short notice recall to site to conduct weapon preps for firing.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Applicants must hold a recognised advanced weapons maintenance qualification, either as a WES719B Small Arms Advanced Maintainer (Royal Navy) or Class 1 Armourer (Army or RM).
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of technical competence and weapons engineering experience where applicable.
• Knowledge of small arms maintenance policy and processes, Understanding of issue, receipt, and tracking of equipment between units.
• Willing to undertake additional specialist training (e.g. 3lb saluting gun maintenance).
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision, Confident leading or directing personnel when required.
• Able to engage with personnel of all ranks professionally and without bias, Competent in Microsoft tools (SharePoint, Teams, Office) and Able to learn and operate bespoke systems (e.g. MyHR, JAMES)
• It is essential that candidates have a Full UK Driving Licence

Licences

It is essential that candidates have a Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

It is essential that Applicants must hold a recognised advanced weapons maintenance qualification, either as a WES719B Small Arms Advanced Maintainer (Royal Navy) or Class 1 Armourer (Army or RM)

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,572 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).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

HMNB Portsmouth combines strong community spirit with convenient facilities. Enjoy on‑site parking, a shuttle service between HMS Excellent and the Naval Base, and the chance to join the HMS Excellent Wardroom. Stay active with a free fitness suite and unwind at the on‑site bistro or hairdresser. Nursery provision and access to places of worship ensure a supportive and inclusive environment.

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

Please Note:

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 permitte