SDA Combat Systems Stealth Engineer

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 Bristol Abbey Wood.

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

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.

Job description

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is critical to maintaining the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and delivering some of the most complex engineering programmes in defence.

The Forward Design Group (FDG) sits at the forefront of future submarine capability, leading early-stage design, concept development, and system-level integration for next-generation platforms. FDG plays a central role in shaping requirements, informing major investment decisions, and enabling coherence across programmes such as; Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (Replacement) (SSBN(R)), Nuclear Propulsion Plant X (NPPX) and Naval Design Partnership (NDP) activities.

We are seeking an experienced Level 3 Engineer – Combat Systems & Stealth (SEO equivalent) to lead “fight” capability development within FDG. This role focuses on the integration and performance of combat systems and stealth characteristics at platform level, ensuring future submarines remain operationally effective and survivable in contested environments.

The FDG L3 Fight Engineer is responsible for leading combat systems and stealth input across early-stage submarine design activities. This includes shaping how the platform detects, communicates, survives, and fights — ensuring these elements are coherently integrated within the overall system.
The role operates in a concept and pre-concept environment Low Technology Readiness Level (low TRL), where influence, system-level thinking, and the ability to manage ambiguity are critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of combat systems and stealth concepts across Forward Design activities, covering sensors, communications, weapons integration and survivability.
• Define and influence platform-level “fight” architectures, aligned to operational needs and evolving threat environments.
• Embed stealth considerations (acoustic and non-acoustic) early in design to ensure survivability is integral, not retrospective.
• Assess the combat systems and stealth landscape, including current capabilities, emerging technologies and threat drivers to inform future design direction.
• Apply spiral development principles, ensuring future platforms are designed to evolve capability incrementally over time.
• Develop and support long-term technology roadmaps for next-generation and generation-after-next submarine capability.
• Lead and assure trade studies, balancing performance, risk, cost and integration to inform early-stage decisions.
• Drive cross-discipline integration and act as an intelligent customer, working with internal teams and industry to shape coherent, deliverable concepts.

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Person specification

To be successful with an application, candidates must demonstrate the that meet 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.
• Strong background in submarine combat systems and/or stealth.
• Experience working in complex, safety-critical engineering environments (defence, nuclear, marine, aerospace or similar).
• Ability to operate effectively in early-stage design / concept environments, dealing with uncertainty and shaping direction.
• Demonstrable experience of technical leadership or mentoring of junior engineers.
• Strong systems thinking, with the ability to understand and communicate cross-discipline impacts.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing both internal and external partners.

Memberships

Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or equivalent relevant professional registration.

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

Evidence of the Membership will be required at interview.

All 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:

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• EFCF 2 Application of Analytical Techniques - Practitioner
• EFCF 4 Technical Decision Making - Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £14,108 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
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