Laser Directed Energy Weapons Safety Professional

The Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has an exciting opportunity for a Laser Directed Energy Weapons Safety Professional with experience in low and high power lasers and Probabilistic Risk Assessment.

About the role

This unique position allows you to contribute to the transformation of the future battlefield. Recognising the impact of Laser Directed Energy Weapons (LDEW), Dstl is conducting extensive research activities to prepare the UK for their accelerated introduction. The insights gained from these activities will inform advice provided to the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

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.

Your responsibilities

As part of Dstl’s Energy Weapons Team, your key responsibilities will include:

• Delivering against the overarching project and established safety management plan.
• Leading and contributing to the Dstl Safety and Environmental management plans and artefacts.
• Developing safety cases and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and bodies.
• Contributing to safety working group panels and delivering OME safety documentation.

Join our team

This role offers you the chance to work with a team of around 20 professionals, each with their own specialisms. You will collaborate with colleagues within Dstl, industry partners, the military, and our customers, making significant contributions to our research efforts.

What you bring

• Full understanding of Defence Safety regulations, legislation, and standards.
• Detailed knowledge of Defence Safety and Environmental management systems.
• In-depth experience in safety auditing and compliance management.
• Experience with UK weapons trials focusing on safety.
• Experience with Laser Weapons systems, possibly gained in an industrial or defence environment.

About you

Essential:

• Practitioner-level experience in Safety and Environmental Management Planning.
• Safety Case / Safety Case Reporting.
• Hazard Logs, identification, and assessment.
• Fault and Event Tree analysis.

Your Skills:

• Expertise in low and high power lasers.
• Understanding of probabilistic risk assessment.
• Evidence of leading large-scale, multi-disciplined teams.
• Proactive problem-solving approach with innovative thinking.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to lead and become our subject expert on laser safety.
• A supportive team and working environment.
• A chance to make a real difference to the front line and take pride in your work.

Safety

• Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others; both understand and meet defined accountabilities as written in Dstl policy,
• Must demonstrate the expected HS (& EP) behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl and lead by example,
• Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training, experience and knowledge (i.e.: competent / SQEP) for self and direct reports,
• Develop a working environment that is supportive of and champions the Dstl approach to health, wellbeing, safety and environmental (HSEP) management,
• Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control. 

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.

Essential Minimum Clearance Requirements:  Security Check (SC) on joining. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake Developed Vetting.

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• 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 and thank you vouchers. 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.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Job contact :

• Name :Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email :dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email :dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk