DEMA Electromagnetic Compatibility / Mutual Interference Engineer

Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, Dorset

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity exists for an engineer with Radio Frequency (RF) experience or relevant telecommunications knowledge, and a keen interest in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) effects and Mutual Interference (MI), to contribute to cutting‑edge defence projects.

As a Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA), Electromagnetic Compatibility and Mutual Interference (EMC/MI) Engineer, you will be part of the DEMA Team, delivering critical, enterprise‑wide Defence services that enable military capability through effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum worldwide. The role is focused on ensuring Defence systems and platforms are protected against the effects of EMC.

You will work within a small specialist team (typically three people), conducting EMC trials on Defence assets in accordance with recognised test standards

A bespoke training package is in place, to enable the successful applicant to gain the unique knowledge and skills associated with this role.

• Working pattern: Roles may be suitable for hybrid working, combining attendance at the permanent duty station with home working by informal, voluntary agreement. Currently, this allows for up to two days per week working from home.
• Travel: The post involves extensive travel. During testing phases, the post holder will be required to work away from home at other sites for periods of up to two consecutive weeks.
• Hours: 37 hours per week.

Job Description

Under the guidance of Senior Engineers, you will gain experience across several electromagnetic disciplines, with a particular focus on Electromagnetic Compatibility and Mutual Interference (EMC/MI). The EMC team is responsible for ensuring the co-existence in harmony of Electronic Defence Capability. You will receive day‑to‑day support from a Team Leader who will guide you through a structured training and development programme.

You will use a variety of electronic test equipment to carry out EMC trials on Defence systems. The data gathered during testing will be analysed by you and the team, helping the Task Manager to produce customer reports that confirm levels of compliance with legislation and recognised standards.

The role involves regular (heavy) manual handling activities and may occasionally require undertaking physically demanding tasks sometimes over distance and arduous terrain.

Under the guidance of Senior Engineers, you will gain experience across several electromagnetic disciplines, with a particular focus on Electromagnetic Compatibility and Mutual Interference (EMC/MI). The EMC team is responsible for ensuring the co-existence in harmony of Electronic Defence Capability. You will receive day‑to‑day support from a Team Leader who will guide you through a structured training and development programme.

You will use a variety of electronic test equipment to carry out EMC trials on Defence systems. The data gathered during testing will be analysed by you and the team, helping the Task Manager to produce customer reports that confirm levels of compliance with legislation and recognised standards.

The role involves regular (heavy) manual handling activities and may occasionally require undertaking physically demanding tasks sometimes over distance and arduous terrain.

Person specification

• Security aware, with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of using Office 365 applications.
• Good communication skills, verbal and written skills (including technical report writing, verbal briefings and presenting).
• Able to work well as part of a team, supporting colleagues and sharing knowledge. Experience or knowledge of working in testing or assurance.
• Able to build and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of personnel and act with integrity and discretion.
• Great organisation skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Commitment and desire to continue to learn and develop your technical skills.
• Experience in RF technologies, telecommunications and or test equipment would be desirable.

Essential/desirable Qualifications:

• Minimum Level 3 qualification (such as BTEC or A-level) in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics-related discipline or demonstrable experience. If not already achieved, the successful candidate will be expected to gain an appropriate Level 3 qualification once in post.
• A current valid UK driving licence (Category B).

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake category C vehicle training.

This role 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 SC clearance prior to taking up employment.

Due to the security requirements, this position is open to sole UK nationals only.

Licences

Category B UK Driving Licence.

Qualifications

Minimum Level 3 qualification (such as BTEC or A-level) in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics-related discipline OR demonstrable experience. If not already achieved, the successful candidate will be expected to gain an appropriate Level 3 qualification once in post.

Licences

Cat B – UK Driving Licence.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• GSE technical skills – Developing and Maintaining Expertise https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-science-and-engineering-career-framework
• GSE technical skills – Complying with requirements / standards https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-science-and-engineering-career-framework

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 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).

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.
• Pension contribution: 28.97%
• 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.

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.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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. You will be assessed against your relevant, skills, knowledge and experience which demonstrates the essential criteria listed within this advert.

You will need to provide a statement of suitability in no more than 1250 words detailing the essential criteria.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following Success Profiles:

Behaviours

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills

• GSE technical skills – Developing and Maintaining Expertise
• GSE technical skills – Complying with requirements / standards

Government science and engineering: career framework – GOV.UK

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles:

Behaviours

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills

• GSE technical skills – Developing and Maintaining Expertise
• GSE technical skills – Complying with requirements / standards

Government science and engineering: career framework – GOV.UK

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see – or those you can’t.

From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today and prepare for tomorrow.

CSOC unites Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force – acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command. For more information, please see here.’

Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to design the way in which the new Military Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, posts within CSOC are/or may become 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.

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 security check (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 security check (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 : Emma Weeks
• Email : Emma.Weeks100@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 03033756811

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.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: info@csc.gov.uk.