Weapon Effects/Collateral Damage Analyst Software Engineer

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and provides impartial scientific and technical (S&T) advice to the MOD, UK Armed Forces and other Government departments.

The role sits within the award winning Weapon System Effects Team which provides advice on weapon effects, but specialising in Collateral Damage Estimation. This advice is critical to ensuring MOD is able to meet its legal duty to protect civilians and that any use of weapons is proportionate.

The team provides advice on the use of both conventional and novel (RF Direct Energy Weapon – RF DEW) weapons. Underpinning the Teams’ advice capabilities is a suite of models, tools and techniques all of which are developed and maintained by the team to ensure that we provide the best advice possible.

We offer the opportunity to develop a comprehensive skill set in an area of critical importance to UK Defence and within a highly successful Team which delivers great impact. You can expect to work alongside teams from across Government, the Armed Forces, Dstl and Industry Partners. Travel is often required which is usually within the UK.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

In this role you will:

Career progression and development is supported and encouraged at all Dstl career levels:

Level 4 rolescan be described as carrying out specialist work that requires the analysis and practised application of data and/or processes, either as part of a dedicated team or as an individual contribution. Level 4 Job holders may be accountable for specific customer relationships, facilities or technical standards.

Level 5 roles can be described as including responsibility for managing projects, delivering products and/or advice (within specialist/technical areas to a defined scope), and/or formal people management responsibility. Leads others through inspiring and influencing them to achieve individual goals. The consequences of decisions taken are normally clear within a time horizon of three to twelve months (although the full impact of some technical recommendations may take longer to come to fruition).

We are looking for someone who has:

• Existing knowledge and experience of software engineering principles, including the ability to design applications, develop and test code. Experience of using and developing Matlab applications would be an advantage, as would C++, Fortran or Python.
• An analytical mindset with the ability to learn a broad variety of analytical techniques and then apply the most appropriate one/s in order to define and analyse problems.
• The ability to ‘think outside of the box’ and solve complex problems.
• The ability to rapidly assess a situation, communicate your assessment and then fulfil the required work within the given timescales (sometimes days at most), with little or no notice.
• A delivery and team orientated mind-set; supporting the team’s output, development and growth.
• The ability to communicate technical outputs and uncertainty to a variety of audiences.
• The ability to take initiative and work autonomously as well as jointly with other team members, as required.

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Experience

• Degree level education or equivalent in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) subject.
• Software engineering experience, including software design and coding skills.
• Experience of different analytical techniques

Desirable

• Any computer science or structural engineering related qualifications.
• Knowledge of the following are desirable but not essential:
• Matlab, GIT, Bitbucket
• Weapon effects and lethality, including structural response and terminal ballistics
• Military headquarters, their command staff structures and functions
• The targeting cycle.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

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

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

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses, rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.