Master Mariner in Plymouth

Salary: £70,300 per annum (plus generous benefits)

Working Pattern: Full time, Part time, Job Share, Flexible Working

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 20th April 2026 at 11:55pm

Why join Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO)? SALMO is the MOD’s centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it’s locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital.

Are you motivated by complex maritime challenges and looking to progress into a senior maritime authority role within SALMO? If so, this position offers an exceptional opportunity to apply and grow your expertise. As an Offshore Marine Advisor, you will draw on your Master Mariner background to provide authoritative maritime advice, vessel assurance, and operational oversight across SALMO’s offshore activities. You will lead the planning, coordination, and assurance of safe AUV and ROV operations from Dynamic Position vessels, ensuring the effective delivery of subsea survey, inspection, and salvage intervention missions.

Acting as SALMO’s senior maritime specialist for deployed operations, you will advise on vessel operations, commercial charter arrangements, marine assurance requirements, and the management of operational maritime risk. Working closely with the wider SALMO Seabed Operations team and Defence customers, you will contribute to mission planning, assess operational and environmental constraints, and ensure the safe integration of AUV/ROV activities with host marine platforms. When deployed offshore, you will serve as the on-site focal point for SALMO’s seabed capabilities, ensuring marine operations are conducted safely and effectively. When working ashore, you will support operational planning and play a critical role in enabling the UK Ministry of Defence to operate safely, lawfully, and to the highest professional standards—even in demanding and dynamic operational environments.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your seagoing and marine operations experience to some of the most complex and consequential subsea tasks undertaken in support of Defence.

What’s in it for you? This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.

What you’ll be doing: As the Offshore Marine Advisor, you will be the primary maritime specialist supporting SALMO’s AUV and ROV operations, ensuring all subsea activity is planned and executed safely, efficiently, and in line with marine regulations and best practice. Key responsibilities include:

• Provide SME marine operations advice to SALMO project teams during planning and execution of AUV/ROV tasks
• Lead operational marine assurance for offshore operations, including vessel assurance, DP CAMO/TAMO reviews, platform suitability assessments and risk management.
• Work with the vessels master to ensure close quarters ships manoeuvring/ DP Operations are conducted safely to enable launch/recovery of the AUV and ROV operational capability.
• Support the development of operational plans and review safe working practices.
• Provide on-site operational oversight during offshore deployments, acting as the maritime link between SALMO, vessel crew, and subsea teams.
• Assure adherence to safety standards, marine legislation, and Defence maritime governance during operations.
• Contribute to post-mission reviews, lessons learned, and continuous improvement activities across SALMO’s marine and subsea operations.

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

• Lead Criterion – Have experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of successful maritime outcomes in multidisciplinary projects;
• Have a wide-ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in marine operations;
• Experience managing complex/challenging work with evidence of technical problem-solving and risk management;
• Be a Sole UK National;
• Full UK Driving Licence;
• Be able to satisfy requirements of: 2-Yearly ENG1 Seafarers Medical;
• Be enlisted as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve.

This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions. In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Leadership - CSBC 4
• Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing - CSBC 4
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_02 Safety Management - Awareness

Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days’ annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service. Flexible and hybrid working options. Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%. Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards. Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications. Support for progression. Huge range of discounts. 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.