Head of Engineering

About OPSS
Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!
We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade (Previously the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact. Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.
Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, most recently with the addition of construction products regulation planned.
Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.
Further information can be found on our website here.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (DCS) for people with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We are Inclusive
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation if required to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation., We are looking to recruit an experienced engineer to lead and grow our Engineering Team. The Engineering Team is a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists and technical policy specialists covering subjects from mechanical and electrical engineering to legal metrology and construction products. It is responsible for producing technical and engineering evidence to underpin policy and enforcement decisions in OPSS.
That advice takes the form of answering individual queries from OPSS colleagues, delivering research, designing testing proformas and creating position papers on subjects as diverse as e-scooters, gas hobs and button batteries to cladding, fire doors and concrete. The Engineering Team also has responsibility for the technical aspects of processes like designating standards and approving conformity assessment bodies.
The Engineering Team sits in the Evidence Impact Area (EIA) in OPSS and works closely with other teams in this Impact Area like Science, Technology, Analysis, Testing, Risk, Intelligence and OPSS’ Testing Laboratories, adding strength to the depth and breadth of our work through interdisciplinary collaboration. We strongly encourage continued professional development of our specialists and will look to head of the Engineering Team to both role model, promote and support the professional needs of the team including through Charterships and membership of relevant Professional Bodies., The post holder is responsible for ensuring the right processes, people and collaborations are in place to deliver robust, transparent and impactful engineering and technical advice for policy development and enforcement.
You will:
+ Lead the delivery of engineering advice to support product safety and construction product policy and regulatory decision-making, through both direct advice and technical assurance of the technical and engineering advice, testing and research delivered by others both within and external to OPSS;
+ Lead the engineering advisory response to product safety incidents, in line with OPSS’ Incident Management practices.
+ Lead the creation of a streamlined testing advisory function within the team, that supports OPSS testing delivery service through technical advice on testing requirements depending on the product hazard and harm;
+ Ensure that operational functions, such as designation of standards and appointment of approved bodies, are well-led and that technical advice is at the heart of decision making on these subjects;
+ Build upon the existing foundations of a construction products research, testing, standards and technical leadership function, continuing its integration at the heart of the evidence impact area (EIA);
+ Work across the Office and relevant other parts of Whitehall, including with Departments’ Chief Scientific Advisers, to understand the key engineering issues affecting consumer and construction product safety and compliance and to ensure evidence is at the heart of decision making within OPSS; and
+ Provide technical leadership of GSE engineers within OPSS and across DBT/ wider CS as appropriate, in addition to representing the GSE profession outside of Government. This includes identifying opportunities for learning and development for yourself and others, keeping you all at the forefront of the engineering and technical specialisms in which OPSS needs you to be expert., + You are qualified to at least degree level in an engineering, scientific or technical discipline or can evidence relevant equivalent knowledge and experience;
+ Have experience of applying appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems to support decision making; and
+ Have experiencing of providing technical and commercial leadership, overseeing the delivery of technical advice by others, either under your management or working through others external or internal to your organisation.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
From the UK Standards for Professional Engineering Competence:
1. Provide technical and commercial leadership - Assessed at Application Stage.
+ C1 Plan for effective project implementation;
+ C2 Plan, budget, organise, direct & control tasks, people & resources;
+ C3 Lead teams and develop staff to meet changing technical and managerial needs; and
+ C4 Bring about continuous improvement through quality management.
2. Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems - Assessed at Application Stage.
+ A1 Maintain & extend a sound theoretical approach in enabling the introduction and exploitation of new and advancing technology; and
+ A2 Engage in the creative and innovative development of engineering technology and continuous improvement systems
3. Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems - Assessed at Interview Stage.
+ A1 Maintain & extend a sound theoretical approach in enabling the introduction and exploitation of new and advancing technology; and
+ A2 Engage in the creative and innovative development of engineering technology and continuous improvement systems
4. Provide Technical & Commercial Leadership - Assessed at Interview Stage
UK SPEC third edition, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Provide technical and commercial leadership
+ Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems
+ Presentation on Technical & Commercial Leadership
+ Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
+ Provide technical and commercial leadership
+ Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
After the closing date, it is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
+ A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
+ A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
+ Two Technical Statements based on the Competency Framework
+ Two Behaviour Statements Communicating & Influencing and Seeing the Bigger Picture.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Technical Skills Statements. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
+ A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
+ Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
+ The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
+ New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
+ Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
+ A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
+ Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
+ Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.

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).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

You are qualified to at least degree level in an engineering, scientific or technical discipline or can evidence relevant equivalent knowledge and experience.

Alongside your salary of £64,432, Department for Business and Trade contributes £17,396 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.