Head of NDT – Navy

Summary:
Are you passionate about the defence of the United Kingdom, with a good moral compass and a drive to protect people, whilst making positive contributions towards a more sustainable future? If so, we are looking for a Head of our Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) team.

With a heritage dating back to the 1930s and based at the Portsmouth Naval Base, 1710 Naval Air Squadron is a mixed civil service and military team of technical specialists from multidisciplinary backgrounds that uses scientific and engineering reasoning to overcome UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) aircraft operational issues to recover, sustain and enhance aviation and general military capability.

Job description:
We are looking for a Head of NDT to lead a mixed military and civil service team qualified to EN 4179 in the provision of support to UK military helicopters and some fixed wing fleets by developing and delivering NDT inspections.

As Head of Profession in this role you will be the Responsible Level 3 (RL3) for Navy Command (NC) and Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) responsible for the provision of NDT regulation, policy and advising on equipment to assure platform structural and systems integrity.

Responsibilities:
As the Head of NDT and Responsible Level 3 within our team, your role will include:

• Ensuring compliance with the requirements of the European standard BS EN 4179 and implementing the MOD’s NDT training and certification requirements
• Ensuring Royal Navy and Joint Helicopter Command NDT requirements are represented at Inter Command, National and International NDT committees
• The provision of subject matter expertise to support the existing Level 2s and 3s in the development of NDT inspections
• The continued professional development of the team
• Monitoring and influencing the development of emerging NDT technologies
• The implementation of new technologies and related policy into service.

Person specification: 
In addition to the qualifications, essential experience includes:

• Relevant technical knowledge including aircraft maintenance practices (military or civilian)
• Working with colleagues at all levels to ensure compliance with relevant UK and EU aerospace legislation, regulations and policy
• Strong IT skills.

Highly desirable experience includes:

• An operational knowledge of military aircraft
• Previous experience of overseeing the technical work of others
• An enthusiastic, adaptable and inquisitive approach towards new challenges
• A UK driving licence would be an advantage.

Qualifications:
To carry out the responsibilities outlined above, it is necessary for you to hold:

• A degree/HNC/D or equivalent experience in NDT or other engineering or science-based disciplines
• At least two EN 4179 Level 2 certifications for a minimum of 18 months
• An EN 4179 Level 3 qualification. 

Benefits:
We will provide a great range of benefits including: 

• Excellent learning and development
• Chartership support
• Pension (including market-leading employer contributions)
• A competitive salary
• On-site gym
• Generous annual leave
• Flexible working schedule and opportunities to conduct some work remotely
• On-site parking.

Our ethos:
We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. There is a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for individuals with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. 

Assessment criteria:
This vacancy is using success profiles and will assess your behaviours, technical skills and experience.
Applications will be assessed following the closing date and if successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to interview.

Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, technical skills and experience-type questions. Interviews will take place at 1710 Naval Air Squadron, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, where possible.

Behaviours:
We will assess you against the following behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions
• Communicating and influencing.

Technical skills:
We will assess you against the following technical skills during the selection process:

• Science and Engineering Professional Framework ‘Building and applying knowledge’.
• Science and Engineering Professional Framework ‘Broad Thinking’.

This post requires applicants to hold a security clearance. Successful applicants will be asked to conduct pre-employment security vetting (security check).

External recruits joining the MOD who are new to the Civil Service may be subject to a six-month probation period, see here for more details.

Navy Command are currently going through a review and there is a possibility that within 6-12 months the role applied for may be subject to change.

For further information and how to apply, see: www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk