MOD Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8AA Job Summary This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with Radio Frequency (RF) or Electrical Engineering experience to work on Defence projects. A bespoke training package is in place, to enable the successful applicant to gain the unique knowledge and skills associated with this role. A market skills allowance of up to £9k per annum may be applicable, paid in increments upon reaching agreed criteria. About Us: Defence Digital 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 the 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 impacts lives across the globe. Defence Digital forms part of Strategic Command which manages the MOD’s joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy. Watch to find out more about what we do. As a Civil Servant, you’ll also have access to our range of excellent benefits, including flexible working, discount schemes, generous leave allowance and a market-leading Civil Service pension. Passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference? Your next career move could be here. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description The Senior RF Engineer will be part of the Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA) Team, who deliver crucial Defence enterprise-wide services to enable military capability to use the electromagnetic spectrum globally. This role is primarily responsible for ensuring that Defence systems and platforms are protected against the effects of high-power Electromagnetic Pulses. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work across various Electromagnetic disciplines but will specialise in the Electromagnetic Pulse Protection (EMPP) team, responsible for the protection of critical Defence assets against weaponised EM threats. You will work in a small team, specialising in Electromagnetic Pulse Protection trials on Defence Assets, in accordance with test standards, which are similar in nature to typical Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test procedures. In practice, this means protecting sensitive equipment using Faraday Cages and RF Filtering. Using a range of electronic test equipment, you will conduct EMPP trials on various Defence assets, analysing the data collected to produce reports for customers, advising them of their level of compliance against legislation and suggesting any remedial actions where appropriate. Key Responsibilities: Testing highly specialised military platforms and facilities using a range of electronic test equipment. Plan, organise and lead technical electromagnetic assessments and trials, and witness third party EMP trials, at various locations across the UK and occasionally abroad. Perform visual audits of EMP protection measures. Support and review technical EMP modelling exercises. Provide technical advice and guidance to Ministry of Defence and Government customers. Contribute to the development of EMPP Defence Standards. Interaction with industry, international experts and policy teams to keep abreast of technical and policy changes in this area. The opportunity for line management responsibility. The Senior RF Engineer will be part of the Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA) Team, who deliver crucial Defence enterprise-wide services to enable military capability to use the electromagnetic spectrum globally. This role is primarily responsible for ensuring that Defence systems and platforms are protected against the effects of high-power Electromagnetic Pulses. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work across various Electromagnetic disciplines but will specialise in the Electromagnetic Pulse Protection (EMPP) team, responsible for the protection of critical Defence assets against weaponised EM threats. You will work in a small team, specialising in Electromagnetic Pulse Protection trials on Defence Assets, in accordance with test standards, which are similar in nature to typical Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test procedures. In practice, this means protecting sensitive equipment using Faraday Cages and RF Filtering. Using a range of electronic test equipment, you will conduct EMPP trials on various Defence assets, analysing the data collected to produce reports for customers, advising them of their level of compliance against legislation and suggesting any remedial actions where appropriate. Key Responsibilities: Testing highly specialised military platforms and facilities using a range of electronic test equipment. Plan, organise and lead technical electromagnetic assessments and trials, and witness third party EMP trials, at various locations across the UK and occasionally abroad. Perform visual audits of EMP protection measures. Support and review technical EMP modelling exercises. Provide technical advice and guidance to Ministry of Defence and Government customers. Contribute to the development of EMPP Defence Standards. Interaction with industry, international experts and policy teams to keep abreast of technical and policy changes in this area. The opportunity for line management responsibility. Person specification Please ensure that your CV and application demonstrate the essential criteria below: Able to build and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of personnel and act with integrity and discretion. Able to quickly assess information and make credible recommendations at pace. Security aware, with accurate attention to detail. Experience of using Office 365 applications. Excellent verbal and written skills (including technical report writing, verbal briefings and presenting) Able to make effective decisions and know when to seek advice or escalate issues. Essential Qualifications: Minimum of BTEC Level 3 in an Engineering/Science based subject or demonstrable experience. A current valid driving licence (Category B) is essential. You will have the opportunity to undertake category C1 vehicle training. Additional Information This post will require lab work and coaching, requiring site presence to meet demands. Hybrid working is limited (but still possible) owing to the need to access labs and secure systems. This post will include travel away from home. During testing phases the successful applicant will need to travel to other sites to conduct testing – this could be up to 2 weeks at a time spent working away but not more than an average of 2 weeks per month. If not already held, successful candidates will be required to obtain DV clearance prior to taking up employment. Due to the security requirements this position is open to sole UK nationals only. Working At MOD Blandford Forum: Set in one of the UK’s top Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), offering a variety of local walks, cycle rides and friendly pubs, all with easy access (30min drive) to Bournemouth and Salisbury. A modern well-equipped workplace with on-site restaurant, coffee shops and sports facilities; including free gym, squash courts, tennis courts, running track, athletics facilities, amongst many others. On camp cinema offering the best current films at very reasonable prices. On camp go-karting track and clay target shooting range – extra costs to use. A friendly team culture which enjoys regular social events and team building activities. Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions. Licences Current full UK driving licence. Qualifications Minimum of BTEC Level 3 (or equivalent) in an Engineering/Science based subject. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Working Together Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: EM3 –Technical Authority – Practitioner EM4 – Technical Support – Practitioner Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Our Benefits Include: Learning and development tailored to your role with a dedicated minimum of 5 days per year. 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years’ service. Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year. In addition to eight public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday. A Civil Service pension. Parental and Adoption Leave. Discounts on a range of services within and external to the civil service – Defence Discount Service, Civil Service societies for Sports and Leisure, Healthcare, Insurance, Motoring, Company discounts with Virgin, Vodafone, and Microsoft Office. In year rewards and ‘thank you’ schemes such as vouchers and gift cards. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. Find out more here - Discovermybenefits. Equality and Diversity Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore. Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this 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 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. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. To apply please complete the CV template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard, ensuring it highlights your relevance to the essential criteria listed in the person specification. All applicants will also need to provide a personal statement (max. 1250 words) assessed against your responses to the questions listed below. Each One Will Be Scored 1-7 And Make Up Part Of Your Overall Score To Assess Your Suitability To Be Invited To Interview: Describe your experience of working with electronic test equipment (Spectrum Analysers etc.) and your adherence to Health & Safety legislation. Tell us about your experience of working with mains power, including 3-phase systems and the safety aspects associated with these. Provide an example of when you have been involved in, or assisted with, planning, organising and/or leading a team through a project. Interviews We’ll assess you against these behaviours & technical skills during the interview process: Behaviours Leadership Working Together Making Effective Decisions Communicating & Influencing Technical Skills EM3 –Technical Authority – Practitioner EM4 – Technical Support – Practitioner The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 : Defence Digital Talent Acquisition Team Email : ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdelmod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:, Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk