Naval Overseers - Capability Insertion Engineering Manager

Job Description

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support
Salary: £46,400 per annum (plus generous benefits)
Grade: Professional II
Working Pattern: Full time, Job Share, Flexible Working
Contract Type: Permanent

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe - for today, and tomorrow.

DE&S has recently been integrated into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. The NAD Group brings together key Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations to unite expertise across science, technology, procurement, infrastructure, and support to provide integrated capabilities faster and more efficiently for our armed forces and our allies. This is an exciting new opportunity to enable better ways of working and empower greater collaboration across Defence.

For further information about the NAD Group, please visit:
National Armaments Director Group -

We offer 25+ days' holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. If it isn't obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.

Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn't obtained within 12 months. We're unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Do you have a background in maritime combat systems, marine systems, or managing change in a maritime environment? This is your opportunity to join a flagship defence programme and be at the forefront of delivering the backbone of the Royal Navy's future frontline surface fleet.

As a Naval Overseer working alongside industry partners in a dynamic shipyard environment, you will provide on-site technical oversight and assurance across naval vessel construction and trials, ensuring contractors meet contractual, quality, and performance requirements. Providing a visible National Armaments Director Group presence, you will cultivate a strong and collaborative working relationships with our industry partners working together to drive improvement in shipbuilding performance whilst maintaining independent assurance.

As the local technical authority, you will identify and address defects or quality issues at the earliest opportunity, maintain continuous oversight of shipbuilding and maintenance activities and be empowered to make decisions on a local level to support programme delivery. You will play a key role in managing delivery and indemnity risks, ensuring due diligence is applied throughout the build and support lifecycle, while also contributing technical expertise to testing, acceptance, and assurance activities to support the successful delivery of naval capability.

The role offers the opportunity to participate in sea trials, spending time at sea and seeing first‑hand how your work contributes to operational capability.

Four of the five Type 31 Frigates are currently under construction at Babcock Marine's Rosyth shipyard and will be delivered over the coming years. Each ship will undergo a six‑month Capability Insertion Period (CIP), during which additional systems will be integrated to deliver a safe, fully operational warship for the Royal Navy. As capability requirements continue to be developed, the post holder will support delivery across the full lifecycle, from requirements definition and integration through to acceptance and handover.

The role includes supporting the integration and acceptance of at least 25 enhancements across weapon, sensor and mechanical systems,…