Gunner in Dorchester

Location: Bovington Camp, Dorset or Kirkcudbright Training Centre, Scotland (Site Based)

Company: G3 Systems Ltd

Contract: Full Time / Fixed Term (Project Based)

Salary: Starting from £46,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Hours: 37 hours per week plus significant overtime during trial activities

Join the Team Supporting the British Army's Next Generation Main Battle Tank

G3 Systems Ltd is recruiting experienced Challenger 2 Gunners to support one of the UK's most significant armoured vehicle programmes. Working alongside our Client, successful candidates will play a key role in the development, testing and validation of the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of British armoured capability, supporting live trials and vehicle development across a range of military test facilities.

Following successful selection, candidates will undertake a structured Challenger 3 conversion programme before joining dedicated trial crews responsible for vehicle operation and weapons system evaluation.

The Role

As a Challenger 3 Trials Gunner, you will become part of an experienced crew supporting vehicle development, proving and acceptance trials. Working within a highly professional environment, your responsibilities will include:

• Operating Challenger 3 vehicles in accordance with approved operating procedures and Crew Handbook.
• Conducting live firing and mobility trials.
• Supporting weapon system development and proving activities.
• Participating in reliability growth and human factors trials.
• Supporting Level 1 maintenance activities and assisting with higher-level repairs where appropriately trained.
• Accurately recording faults and supporting root cause investigations.
• Working closely with engineers, military specialists and programme teams.
• Maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism and operational discipline.

Trials will be conducted at various UK locations including:

• Clients site at Telford
• Bovington Training Area
• Kirkcudbright Training Centre
• Other UK defence and specialist test facilities

Initial Training

Successful applicants will complete an approximately six-week onboarding and conversion programme at Clients Telford site, including:

• Programme induction
• Challenger 2 baseline assessment
• Challenger 3 conversion training
• Simulator and synthetic training
• Practical vehicle training

Essential Experience

Applicants must have:

• Previous British Army service as a Challenger 2 Gunner.
• Proven experience conducting live firing exercises on Challenger 2.
• Recent operational or instructional experience on Challenger 2.
• Strong understanding of armoured vehicle crew procedures.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Good fault reporting and problem-solving ability.
• Physical fitness suitable for armoured vehicle operations and ammunition handling.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Current Challenger 2 experience (within the last two years).
• Qualified as a full Challenger 2 Crewman (Driver, Gunner and Loader).
• Instructional qualifications including: Regimental Instructor Gunner (RIG), Gunnery School Instructor, Driving & Maintenance Instructor (DMI).
• Experience supporting defence industry programmes.
• Previous involvement in military trials or development programmes including ATU or ATDU.

Working Pattern

37-hour contracted working week. Significant overtime should be expected during active trial periods. Flexibility to travel to UK trial locations is essential. Home locations will be either:

• Bovington Camp, Dorset
• Kirkcudbright Training Centre, Scotland

Applicants should be willing to travel between trial locations when required. Travel and subsistence will be provided for authorised business travel away from your designated home location.

Travel & Expenses

Travel between your home and designated home site is your responsibility. When business requires you to work away from your home location, G3 Systems will provide travel and subsistence in accordance with company policy.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be capable of obtaining Security Check (SC) clearance. Candidates may commence employment following successful BPSS clearance whilst full SC clearance is processed.

Occupational Health

Due to the nature of this role, successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment and ongoing occupational health assessments, including medical surveillance relevant to operating armoured vehicles.

Health & Safety Requirements

Successful applicants will be expected to hold, or be willing to obtain:

• IOSH Working Safely
• Working at Height
• Manual Handling

What We Offer

Opportunity to support one of the UK's premier armoured vehicle programmes. Competitive salary starting from £46,000 per annum based on experience. 37hrs per week. Overtime opportunities. Company Defined Pension Scheme. Life assurance 3.5x annual salary. Private medical insurance (BUPA) including dental cover. Structured training and professional development. Travel and subsistence for authorised business travel. Full Challenger 3 conversion training. Work alongside leading defence engineers and military subject matter experts. A challenging and rewarding role contributing directly to the future capability of the British Army.

About G3 Systems Ltd

G3 Systems Ltd is a specialist provider of engineering, construction and deployable infrastructure solutions supporting defence, government and commercial customers worldwide. We are proud to deliver innovative capability in some of the world's most demanding environments and are committed to employing talented professionals who share our values of safety, integrity, quality and teamwork. G3 Systems Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, occupational health clearance and security vetting where applicable.