SDA Future Software Capabilities Manager

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The primary delivery location for this position is MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9GB.

Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

Due to security constraints, this post is exempt from hybrid working requests. Requests for flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered but may be limited. Candidates should consider this and must discuss with recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Job description

Help Shape the Future of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent!

Are you an experienced engineer, scientist, analyst or technical specialist looking for a role with real strategic impact?

We are seeking a highly capable Senior Software Capability Engineer to play a pivotal role in the development, assurance and integration of next-generation operation software capabilities that underpin the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of national defence, supporting mission-critical programmes that directly contribute to the safety, security and operational effectiveness of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE). Operating within a highly specialised environment, you will collaborate with leading experts across Defence, industry and international partners to deliver advanced operational capabilities in response to rapidly evolving global security challenges.

The Role

Working alongside senior engineers and subject matter experts, you will provide essential technical leadership across the lifecycle of new nuclear software and modelling development, from requirements development and concept evaluation through to verification, validation, integration and operational deployment.

You will act as a trusted technical adviser to key stakeholders, ensuring that future capabilities are robust, assured and fit for operational use. The role offers significant exposure to cutting-edge analytical methods, defence technologies, systems integration activities and strategic decision-making.

Your work will directly influence the successful delivery of software upgrades and capability enhancements that are fundamental to maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent advantage.

Key Responsibilities

As the Senior Software Capability Engineer, you will:

• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing software engineering team.
• Own software delivery from planning and development through to verification, release and lifecycle support.
• Establish and maintain robust software engineering standards, processes and best practices.
• Provide technical leadership, collaborating with stakeholders including Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Defence Science Technology Laboratories (Dstl) and international partners, ensuring that solutions are reliable, maintainable, scalable and fit for purpose.
• Develop software roadmaps and manage priorities, resources, risks and technical debt.
• Communicate effectively with senior stakeholders across DNE stakeholders, providing clear updates on progress, risks, resource requirements and priorities.
• Promote a culture of innovation, conducting horizon scanning and encouraging the adoption of appropriate new technologies, tools and engineering practices.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustments

We welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions. Due to the designated working area level for this role known as Information Protection Zone (IPZ) permission will need to be sought for any medical devices or assistive technology to be used in the IPZ. This is because the type of technology used is prohibited due to security. Permission is granted on a case by case basis and it is an essential function of the role to be able to work in the designated IPZ area.

We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

Please note, the working environment for this role is situated in an underground facility and therefore, for health & safety reasons the successful applicant must be physically able to climb thirteen flights of stairs in the event of an emergency.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by the SDA Recruitment Team. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team via the Help link.

Person specification

In order to be successful in your application, please show evidence of the following essential criteria:

• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration.
• Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body.
• Relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes.
• Wide ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in own specialism with a broad understanding of the interdependencies between your work and related systems.

Qualifications

Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration.

Evidence of the Qualification/Licence/Membership will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences/memberships declared must be held at point of application and be in date.

Memberships

Member of a relevant Professional Engineering / Science Institute or equivalent body.

Evidence of the Qualification/Licence/Membership will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences/memberships declared must be held at point of application and be in date.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• EFCF 3 - Technical Requirements, Evaluation & Acceptance-Practitioner
• EFCF 4 - Technical Decision Making-Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,700, Ministry of Defence con