Sda Through Life Support Officer

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 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 have 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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.

Are you driven by a passion to safeguard our armed forces and those who defend the UK’s global interests? Do you want to be part of a team that helps shape the future of defence technology? If so, step forward and join us at the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA).

We’re offering inspiring and rewarding opportunities within the Through Life Support (TLS) profession. As a key player in this field, you’ll apply the Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) discipline, playing a pivotal role in the success of defence acquisitions and support operations. You’ll manage technical risks, enhance resilience, and introduce innovative support solutions and capabilities.

Through Life Support is about understanding that military equipment and systems require ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and support throughout their operational lifespan. It’s about ensuring effectiveness and availability. It’s about looking beyond the initial acquisition phase and extending into the sustainment and eventual retirement of the equipment. Our goal? To maximise operational capability, availability, and reliability while minimising whole-life costs.

We’re currently seeking professionals in the following Through Life Support disciplines:

• Equipment Support (ES) Officer – You will contribute to the management of the In-service asset lifecycle for equipment and products, ensuring cost-effective support throughout the whole life of the product. This will include the up-keep, and updating of maintenance support resources and technical information, and planning for disposal at the end of service life.

• ILS Engineer – You will contribute to the design and development of the ILS/Integrated Product Support (IPS) programme/project(s) for procuring new reliable, maintainable, sustainable, and cost-effective equipment/products or conducting upgrades to existing ones.

At the SDA, we don’t just offer a job—we offer a journey. We’re deeply committed to your professional growth, providing a wealth of training and development opportunities to help you navigate a rewarding career path with us. Immerse yourself in our vibrant community that champions learning, innovation, and quality. Connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and celebrate diversity through our extensive range of staff networks.

We champion a balanced approach to work at the SDA. While regular in-person attendance is required for at least 3 days per week to foster the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, we also offer flexibility in hours to support a healthy work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Helping to develop the supportability requirements and create guidelines for evaluating and assessing contracts, collaborating with colleagues to define criteria for selecting, monitoring, and ensuring that contracts meet specific design and support goals, from start to finish.
• Supporting the design and management of ILS programmes, covering ILS task Work Break Downs and strategies to optimise the whole Life Support cost, capturing reliability, maintainability, and influencing the support of the equipment and systems, for the end users.
• Producing and maintaining delegated ILS Plans and related ILS element plans, assisting with research, and gathering existing and emerging technological advancements finding new and better ways to support the equipment and systems with Industry, and other defence partners.
• Coordinating and escalating supportability evidence and reports and managing risk controls to ensure all stakeholders, including assurance and policy owners, are considered in their respective business areas. Liaising with customers and suppliers and presenting compelling supportability cases for business endorsement.
• Assisting leaders with managing the team, including coaching, training, and mentoring junior staff and colleagues, cross functionally, within their business area.
• Adhering to governance and assurance policies and procedures, contributing to making sure capability support solutions are affordable, supportable, and meet business and Defence standards.
• Managing technical information making sure that all the technical details and documents about a piece of equipment or product, are organised and controlled properly.
• Handling obsolescence, managing the risks of equipment or products becoming outdated and finding the most cost-effective solutions for their entire lifespan.
• Managing relationships with stakeholders, customers, and suppliers by coordinating and tracking the progress of support solutions to meet agreed milestones and targets.

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience in delivering Asset Management Systems and/or knowledge in delivering Through Life Support services/systems or associated disciplines (Project Management, Engineering, Operations Management.
• Experience of stakeholder management/engagement.
• Experience in handling, interpreting, and reporting on data.
• Experience in producing reports for identifying issues and trends, for communicating, recommending, and influencing an approach and decision.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Design Support Capability Requirements – Practitioner level
• Review, Validate and Assure Support Solutions - Practitioner level
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC3
• Changing and Improving – CSBC3

• 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.

Job contact :

Name :
Michael Ponsford
Email :
michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk