Royal Navy – Machinery Trials Assessment Officer

Job summary

Are you an experienced Marine Engineer, or ex-forces Marine Engineering professional, looking to apply your skills in a role that directly supports operational capability?

Maritime Capability Trials and Assurance (MCTA) is Navy Command’s independent equipment capability assurance organisation. Operating at the forefront of maritime engineering, MCTA delivers trials and assessment services that ensure Royal Navy platforms are safe, effective, and ready for operations worldwide.

This role offers a unique opportunity to transition your military or civilian Marine Engineering experience into a Civil Service career while remaining closely connected to front-line capability. Working alongside a mix of military personnel and civil servants, you will contribute directly to the delivery of operational readiness across the fleet.

Within MCTA, the Machinery Trials and Assessment Unit (MTAU) conducts trials across new construction ships, platforms emerging from upkeep, and those in service. Covering vessels from aircraft carriers to landing craft, MTAU’s work spans propulsion, power generation and distribution, auxiliary systems, and hotel services—systemsfundamental to ship capability and availability.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This role delivers the duties of an MCTA Machinery Trials Officer, including the maintenance of professional standards through training and development to deliver Operational Capability assessments. This needs to be supported by an ability to work independently along, and as part of a team (with good interpersonal skills that have been demonstrated in a team working environment). This is an exciting and rewarding role that also provides the opportunity for personal development and the ability to improve and progress your career.

Whilst based in Victory Building in Portsmouth, the role is required to visit other locations around the UK and on occasions abroad to conduct, manage and deliver specialist trials and assurance activities. Out of hours and weekend working including nights away at sea and in other locations can be expected.

Key tasks for this role:

On behalf of key stakeholders within Navy Command and the National Armaments Director Group (NADG) to provide capability assurance by evaluating and assessing marine propulsion and auxiliary systems with a particular focus on T26 and T31Frigates, QEC Aircraft Carriers, and T45 Destroyers, but also other Surface Ships as required, either independently or, or as part of a team.

Trials to be conducted in accordance with the current Shipping Regulations, Defence Standards, Classification Society Rules, Books of Reference and Operating Manuals, through the conduct of:

1. Factory acceptance tests.
2. New build trials.
3. Pre and post upkeep trials.
4. Large repair trials.
5. Ship performance assessment trials.
6. Analysis of Ship’s Staff conducted trials reports.
7. Final Installation Inspections (FII) con completion of alterations and additions(A&A).

Key activities include:

1. Production of defect lists.
2. Compilation, assessment and commentary on the Main Propulsion Installation Report Form (RN Form S346).
3. Writing of reports and signals.
4. Management of administration for trials including travel, accommodation, and overtime authorisation requirements in line with current MCTA processes to support trials.

To update trials requirements and procedures following trials experience and studies of specifications, drawings and machinery operating instructions.

To provide advice on the content and order of Harbour and Sea Trials programmes to Platform and Equipment Authorities, Ship Builders, Upkeep Managers and Ship’s Staff.

To provide feedback and dialogue on marine engineering matters arising from the conduct of trials to the appropriate equipment and platform desks in DE&S, support teams, and industry partners.

Person specification

This vacancy will require selected applicants to attend an interview in Victory Building in Portsmouth.

You will need to hold a Full UK Manual Driving licence and be willing to drive MOD provided vehicles.

The successful candidate must be medically fit to conduct trials at sea. An ENG1 medical is required but can be conducted on completion of a successful interview.

The successful applicants will have an in-depth knowledge of working with Marine Engineering Systems, ideally Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign and your previous experience. Each element will be scored accordingly.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a minimum qualification of an HNC (Adv Cert) in Engineering, or Marine Engineering (level 4 qualification in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or level 7 SCQF in Scotland).

Licences

You will need to hold a Full UK Manual Driving licence and be willing to drive MOD provided vehicles.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a minimum qualification of an HNC (Adv Cert) in Engineering, or Marine Engineering (level 4 qualification in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or level 7 SCQF in Scotland).

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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).

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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 (one day per year) to 30 days after five years ‘service, with an extra day’s holiday for the King’s birthday
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options (it should be noted that this role cannot support part-time, job share, or permanent remote working)
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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