Senior Communications Engineer

Job summary

The Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to front line.

We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impact lives across the globe.

CSOC manages the MOD's joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy.

Passionate about using your skills to make critical difference? Your next career move could be here.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Our Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM) Team is part of the Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA), who deliver crucial Defence enterprise-wide services to enable military capability to use the electromagnetic spectrum globally.

As a Communications Engineer, working in our TSCM Team, you'll lead TSCM assessments. These assessments are technical and physical counter surveillance assessments, using highly sophisticated test equipment, for the detection of concealed devices and identification of security vulnerabilities within offices, building infrastructure, furniture and office equipment, reducing the MOD's exposure to eavesdropping and information exploitation.

Using a range of test equipment, you'll conduct assurance on various Defence assets both in the UK and overseas, analysing the data collected, to produce reports for customers, advising them of their level of compliance against policy and suggesting any remedial actions, where appropriate.

In addition to carrying out inspections, you'll support a range of projects, such as capability research, development and testing.

As a Line manager you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Team members assigned to you, this includes the writing of Mid-Year and End of Year reports.

This job will involve significant travel away from home, at locations both in the UK and Overseas, but is expected to be no more than 2 weeks at a time, and in most cases not expected to exceed 16 weeks per year. The only exception to this is in first year when you would be expected to complete a 4-week training course in the UK.

This is a customer-facing role, working closely with our MOD customers and partners across government. You'll need good interpersonal skills and the ability to explain complex technical data in a clear way.

Hybrid working is limited (Occasionally possible) owing to the need to access secure IT systems.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) Assessments of areas as directed.
• Scoping and planning of Tasks to ensure they are conducted effectively.
• Completion and delivery of Task reports, identifying activities undertaken and any recommendation made.
• Manage equipment holdings of the Team, ensuring they are functioning correctly, calibrated (if required) and ready to deploy at short notice.
• Fulfil your duties as a Line manager.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to MOD and Government customers.
• Interact with industry, international experts and policy teams, ensuring you are up to date with technical and policy changes.

Person specification

Please ensure that your CV and application demonstrate the essential criteria below:

• Security aware, with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of using MS Office 365 applications.
• Good communication skills, verbal and written skills (including technical report writing, verbal briefings and presenting)
• Able to work as part of a Team, supporting colleagues and sharing knowledge.
• A broad understanding and awareness of the Electromagnetic environment and or Counter Eavesdropping.
• Experience of Knowledge of working in testing and assurance.
• Able to build and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of personnel and act with integrity and discretion.
• Great organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Commitment and desire to continue to learn and develop your technical skills.

Essential Licence:

Full Category B, UK Driving Licence

Desirable Qualifications:

Minimum Level 3 qualification (such as BTEC or A-level) in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics-related discipline or demonstrable experience.

Licences

Full Category B, UK Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• 25 days paid annual leave, rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days on completion of Five years service.
• Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year.
• In addition, you will receive 8 days public holiday per year and 1 extra day for HM The King's birthday.
• Parental and Adoption leave
• Discounts on a range of services within and external to the Civil Service.
• 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 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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