Navy Command - Small Arms Weapons Maintainer

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 for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The primary role of the HMS DRAKE Small Arms Weapons Maintainer (SAWM) is to maintain HMS DRAKE’s weapons and Ministry of Defence Automated Control System (MODACS) in accordance with the regulations and guidelines contained in Land Equipment User Maintenance Standards (LEUMS) and AESP1000-A-003-103 - Policy, Procedure and General Principles for Armourers. They are to manage the armoury efficiently and provide effective Small Arms Maintenance (SAM) support to HMS DRAKE and visiting Ships/Units as required. They will keep updated with the latest Joint Asset management and engineering solutions (JAMES) training to manage the unit’s weapons and MODACS on JAMES.

What you'll be doing:

• Management of the Armoury and its workshop.
• The safe custody of all weapons & Attractive to Criminals and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO) items whilst they are held in the Establishment Armoury.
• Maintain and repair Weapons, optics, ACTO items and equipment for which they have been trained, in line with BR(d)300.
• Carry out mandatory equipment inspections (MEIs) at the designated intervals on all weapons, ACTO items and equipment held throughout HMS DRAKE whilst managing and updating the relevant information on JAMES.
• Maintain all documentation associated with HMS DRAKE weapons, optics ACTO items and equipment.
• Maintain the Theatre Military Equipment (TME), tools and equipment in their workshop to the required standards, advising the Chain of Command (CoC) when mandatory legislative checks are due.
• Maintain HMS DRAKE Armoury calibration register.
• Maintain weapons fault and cleaning registers.
• Ensure weapons and optics cleaning programmes are implemented at appropriate intervals, recorded and that lodger units loaning equipment manage it effectively.
• To be fully conversant with Health, Safety and Environment legislation. Further guidance can be found in Drake Standing Orders.
• Record Equipment Custodian (EC) risk on the Base EC Risk Register and elevate concerns to the CoC, attending periodic EC meetings as required as a small arms subject matter expert.
• The current post holder also provides support to the Nuclear Emergency Arrangements as part of the Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) in a duty roster as agreed with my Line Manager. This will not automatically be part of the TORs for the next postholder without agreement from the Emergency Planning and Response Group.

Person specification

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

Professional/External Qualifications

Essential

• Class 1 Armourer or WES719B Advanced Small Arms Maintainer Course qualified.
• WED418 Heavy Machine Gun Maintainer qualified.
• Risk and COSHH Assessors Course.

Desirable

• WES719A Radiation Protection Supervisors / Workplace Supervisor.
• Authorised Representative Course.
• JAMES Equipment Manager and Repair Manager.

Learning and Development

Pre-joining Essential: Basic knowledge of Microsoft software packages

All essential “Professional/External Qualifications” and “Learning and Development” must be annotated on the Naval Base Workforce Development and Skills Plan. Contact People Learning & Development Manager for details.

Qualifications

Class 1 Armourer or WES719B Advanced Small Arms Maintainer Course qualified.

WED418 Heavy Machine Gun Maintainer qualified.

Risk and COSHH Assessors Course.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 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)

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

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 inclu