Project Acceptance Engineer in Glasgow

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. DE&S has recently been integrated into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, which brings together key Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations to provide integrated capabilities faster and more efficiently for our armed forces and allies.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. If it isn't obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.

If you have a background in mechanical engineering or naval architecture, this is your opportunity to join a flagship defence programme and be at the forefront of delivering the backbone of the Royal Navy's future frontline surface fleet. As a Naval Overseer working alongside industry partners in a dynamic shipyard environment, you will provide on-site technical oversight of ship construction focusing on survivability and signature features, including acoustic, radar, and infrared.

Using your technical expertise and professional judgement, you will identify and resolve issues at the earliest opportunity, support timely decision‑making, and help mitigate programme, performance and delivery risks while contributing to testing and acceptance activities. The role offers the opportunity to participate in sea trials, spending time at sea and seeing first‑hand how your work contributes to operational capability.

This role is based within operational shipbuilding facilities and requires regular attendance aboard vessels under construction and trials. Successful candidates must be able to safely access all areas of a ship, including climbing ladders, negotiating narrow access routes, entering confined spaces, and working around scaffolding and temporary structures.

What you'll be doing:

• Provide professional engineering oversight of ship construction and trials, acting as a MOD/ National Armaments Director Group representative in the shipyard.
• Undertake on-site ship build assurance and inspection activity, identifying and recording defects, quality shortfalls, and emerging issues early.
• Use engineering judgement to support local decision‑making, provide clear recommendations, and escalate issues where required.
• Support acceptance and assurance activities, including attendance at key inspections, tests, trials, and readiness events.
• Work collaboratively with industry partners, ship's staff and MOD stakeholders to maintain effective communication.
• Promote safe, compliant, and professional working in shipyard and trials environments.

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

• Have technical engineering experience in a variety of maritime contexts.
• Have experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful engineering or science outcomes.
• As a minimum hold: A Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 6; or a relevant qualification at RQF Level 4 with current professional registration; or a relevant qualification at RQF Level 3 with a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience.

Offered benefits include:

• 25 days' annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King's birthday.
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards.
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications.
• Support for progression.
• Huge range of discounts.
• Volunteering days.
• Enhanced parental leave schemes.

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. Here you'll find a supportive, family‑friendly organisation to be a part of.