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Deputy Technical Planning Lead - Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

Employer
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Location
Wiltshire, UK
Salary
Unspecified
Posting live until
5 Jan 2023

Job Details

Location

The primary location for the job will be Dstl Portsdown West, however considerable travel will be required to Team Tempest HQ, Farnborough, RAF High Wycombe, DE&S Abbey Wood, and/or MOD Main Building London, with additional travel to other MOD and industry sites in the UK, as well as travel abroad.

About the job

Job summary

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is the science, technology and engineering arm of the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

At Dstl, we harness science and technology to protect our nation – bringing together the best people with the best ideas, and applying them in unexpected ways. Because we provide the UK government with specialist science and technology research, advice and analysis, what we do is often sensitive and collaborative. Much of our work is operationally critical and has the potential to save many lives.

In this role you will lead the technology planning aspects of Future Combat Air System (FCAS) in conjunction with industry to support FCAS both nationally and internationally, and identify the technical maturation/demonstrations required to mature technology ready for incorporation within the preferred concepts (national and international), and prove any required enablers and facilities.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

You will work with the Technical Planning Lead to:

  • Complete UK national technology routemaps across industry partners that define activity and cost profiles required to reach required maturity to support the development programme through to 2040 timeframe;
  • Deliver performance/cost/time options (scenarios) to Programme Board for endorsement taking into account UK implications of any decisions taken;
  • Complete technology routemapping exercises with international partners to support the international agreements agreed by seniors;
  • Demonstrate that the international partnership has the technologies required to deliver against the Development Phase schedule;
  • Identify areas of common tech development and opportunity for common/shared demonstration paths;
  • Identify the outline statement of work and likely participants for joint demonstration activity including Integrated Demonstration Groups to start in 2023;
  • Ongoing joint technology planning to agree hand off points into product definition work packages to define course correction and fallback / mitigation plans as required and to deliver emerging requirements e.g. transformation or software demonstrators.

Responsibilities include:

  • Provide advice to the PM on the overall technical design, including dependencies between work packages;
  • Provide technical leadership across the project;
  • Represent the project in project reviews;
  • Attend scheduled contractual review meetings with partners and suppliers where appropriate;
  • Assist the PM with change control, understanding and management of project technical risks and issues;
  • Ensuring technical coherence in project reporting and project deliverables.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

  • Existing knowledge of major UK defence aerospace projects, particularly from the technology and capability angle;
  • Awareness of Project Management processes;
  • Good Commercial & Contract Management experience;
  • Great communication skills – ability to work alongside suppliers and international partners and challenge when appropriate without creating friction;
  • Understanding of the project, programme and desired outcomes and timelines;
  • Strong leadership skills to lead and coordinate S&T experts and industry technical staff in the  delivery of robust outcomes against complex, messy problems in a constantly changing environment;
  • Relationship building skills to be able to develop relevant networks of stakeholders, including direct customers, MOD representatives with no direct connection, industry and international partners.

Technical Skills

Essential:

  • Experience of  negotiating, managing and monitoring contracted suppliers effectively, equivalent to Foundation Level in the Civil Service Contract Management Capability Programme;
  • Understanding of Defence Aerospace stakeholders;
  • Proven ability to develop close interactions with customers, industry partners and strong working relationships with the project manager (PM);
  • Sound technical approach that can manage risks and dependencies, including adequate base-lining of work;
  • Understanding of intellectual property;
  • Strong Leadership and relationship building skills;
  • Strong communication and influencing skills.

Experience

Essential:

  • Experience working on the Combat Air, fast jet, other major air system programmes;
  • Experience working with the Front Line Commands, MOD Head Office, DE&S Project Teams, UK industry and foreign defence organisations;
  • Experience of delivering against constantly changing requirements in a tumultuous environment.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals  who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require the candidate to undergo the Developed Vetting process within 3 months of starting in the role.  As such you should have resided within the UK for the past 10 years, should you have any concerns please raise it at the interview stage or contact the Dstl Recruitment Team.

Behaviours

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

  • Working Together;
  • Managing a Quality Service;
  • Communicating and Influencing;
  • Leadership;
  • Changing and Improving;
  • Developing Self and Others.

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

  • Leadership

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

Flexible working: Working options include alternative working patterns, compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours

Flexible working hours: Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

Annual leave: A generous annual leave allowance starting at 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

Learning and Development: Encouragement and support on charterships, accreditations and access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Paid memberships with 2 relevant bodies/institutions. Employees have access to Civil Service Learning.

Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

The information pack can be found attached to the job specification on Civil Service Jobs.

Diversity

We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work. These include the following:

  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network;
  • Race, Faith and Culture Network;
  • Parents and Carer Support Network;
  • Alternative Working Network;
  • Gender Equality Network;
  • New Starters Network;
  • Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities.

For further information about Dstl please check out our LinkedIn page.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Applications will consist of a CV and Personal Statement asking you to indicate why you are suitable for this job and detail some of your experience of working in this area.

Sifting will be taking place whilst the vacancy is live and successful candidates will be invited to an interview where your’ “Behaviours” and technical skills will be assessed, these are due to start on the 1st of November and will be ongoing until the vacancy closes.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so if at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact

Name: Dstl Recruitment Team

Email: dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email: dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.

Company

DSTL image

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is the science and technology arm of the Ministry of Defence. As part of the UK Government we do sensitive and specialist work that cannot be done anywhere else. We’re dedicated to keeping the UK safe and secure by using world-leading science and technology. Our work has one aim – protecting lives. Our experts make innovative scientific advancements, sometimes with international impact.

Why work for us
At Dstl, we bring together the best people with the best ideas and apply science and technology in unexpected ways. Our position in defence brings strong links to the armed forces, giving us access and insight to our military personnel and their operational challenges. The solutions we deliver cover everything from long-term research and analysis, through to rapid development in support of current operations with the potential to save lives. Working with other government departments, universities and businesses, we develop battle-winning technologies that support UK military operations – now and into the future.

At Dstl, you’ll find a workforce of respected scientists and professionals who specialize in many different disciplines. We value and champion collaboration, impact and innovation, and we work with some of the most talented professionals and academics in the world. To achieve our goals, we promote and support the use of flexible working patterns to enable staff to enjoy a healthy work/life balance.

We’re always looking for the best technical and scientific minds who are looking for a career with a difference. You’ll need a relevant qualification, a flair for solving problems and a passion for new technologies. Above all, you must want to make a difference now and in the future.

Training and development
We offer an extensive range of technical and professional training that’s relevant for your career and your future ambitions, delivered both in-house and externally. We’ll support you with Chartership and accreditation, and fund up to two professional memberships for you each year.

What we are looking for
Launch your career at Dstl as a:

  • Graduate: if you join Dstl as a graduate you will put theory into practise, applying what you’ve learnt to the real-world problems that we’re solving right now. You will be contributing to important projects and supported by mentors and leading scientists.
  • Student: we have 12- or three-month internships available to experience what a career in science means.
  • Apprentice: we offer apprenticeships, up to degree level, giving you the chance to earn while you learn.

We have a variety of roles advertised on our website all year round as well as graduate and apprenticeship opportunities.


Locations
UK; Porton Down (Salisbury, Wiltshire), Portsdown West (Fareham, Hampshire)

Number of employees
4800

Positions recently recruited for
Graduate engineer, graduate scientist, graduate statistician, graduate operational researcher and analyst, graduate project manager, analysts, scientist, engineer, cyber, software

Desired degree disciplines/class
A STEM degree

Pre-requisites
UK national and eligibility to work in the UK (for security clearance purposes)

How to apply
Apply online at www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk and search for Dstl

Closing date
All year round. Graduate and apprenticeships recruitment every autumn/winter

Contact
Tel +44 (0)1980 950000
E-mail dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory

Company info
Website
Telephone
+44 (0)1980 618484
Location
Room G01 Building
5 Porton Down
Salisbury
SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom

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