SDA Nuclear Decommissioning Specialist

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, and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence.
Here you’ll find a community to belong to – whether that’s alongside project teams with a shared vision or as part of an employee network of like-minded individuals. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
Discover more about our work:
We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 27%, to help make work work for you.
Nationality, visas and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.
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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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., Would you like the opportunity to shape and define some of the biggest and complex defence programmes in the UK today? We here at The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) are looking a passionate and driven Nuclear Decommissioning Specialist to join our team based at Rosyth Royal Dockyard.
In this role, you will actively support the introduction of the Submarine Dismantling (SD) capability. Working hand in hand with our industry partners, you will facilitate the SDA in the decommissioning, dismantling and fully recycling of 27 ex-service nuclear submarines under its Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) whilst working within the SDP team in Rosyth.
This post is on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may attract the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). This is a discretionary allowance. The post being listed on the PCL does not mean that the post holder will have an automatic entitlement to receive the RRA. The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.
At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.
What you’ll be doing
+ Routine site operations associated with contractor provision of nuclear licensed facilities, infrastructure and personnel
+ Management and disposal of legacy radioactive waste and of radioactive waste generated from submarine dismantling
+ Planning and strategy for future work on site associated with radioactive waste management
+ Contract management of work involving radioactive effluent treatment and radiochemistry lab capabilities on site
+ Audit of contractor operation and output
+ Monitoring contractor performance on environmental protection and monitoring
+ Acting as SDA’s intelligent customer across the full range of work contracted at Rosyth, 1. Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills
Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Offering at a lower level
If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
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.

+ You will hold a relevant Level 4 (e.g., HNC or higher) qualification, or have the equivalent in experience
+ You will be a Member of a Professional Engineering or Science Institute or equivalent body, or you will be able to achieve this within 6 months of starting in the post
+ You will have experience of providing technical advice and supporting the delivery of successful engineering outcomes
+ You will have technical experience in a nuclear or medical physics environment
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
+ Technical Requirements, Evaluation and Acceptance (Supervised Practitioner)
+ Application of Analytical Techniques (Supervised Practitioner)
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Making effective decisions

£37,100 - £39,000
per annum (pro rata), plus generous benefits and an average 27% employer pension contribution. Existing civil servants should refer to the Further Information document for salary details., Alongside your salary of £37,100, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,747 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
+ Flexible and hybrid working options
+ Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
+ Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
+ Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
+ Support for progression
+ Huge range of discounts
+ Volunteering days
+ Enhanced parental leave schemes
Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.
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