DE&S Engineering Environmental Graduate Scheme

Description

Location: MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH (office attendance required)

Duration: Two years

Start Date: October 2026

Salary: £30,080 (with annual increments)

Entry Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2:2)

Working Pattern: Full-time

Overview

Join Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) to support the UK Armed Forces by delivering cutting‑edge equipment and technology. This two‑year programme offers hands‑on experience in engineering within an environmental specialism. We recognise the breadth of engineering and aim to align your skills and experience with the most suitable placements when you join us. While there are multiple engineering posts available, we encourage you to apply to the engineering specialism that best reflects your background to help us match you to the best opportunity. Placements will span the engineering lifecycle; from early concept, next generation platforms and technologies, to acquisition and acceptance of new equipment, supporting in service systems through to the safe environmental disposal of obsolete equipment.

What You’ll Do

• Rotate through multiple engineering placements within your chosen specialism, Industry Defence Partners, and the Armed Forces to experience every aspect of the project life cycle.
• Exploit cutting‑edge technology; solve engineering problems and develop upgrades to ensure equipment continues to provide the battle‑winning edge our customers need.
• Gain project management knowledge and experience
• Work towards accreditation with several Engineering Institutions as a foundation towards Incorporated or Chartered status.
• Read more about the scheme here: DE&S Engineering Graduate Scheme

What We Offer

• Salary of £30,080 with annual increments
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and an extra privilege day)
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Professional training and funding for qualifications
• Access to employee networks promoting diversity and inclusion
• Huge range of discounts

Eligibility

• UK residency for the last 5 years
• Security Check (SC) clearance required
• Right to work in the UK (DE&S does not sponsor visas)

Minimum Selection Criteria

• GCSE Maths and English Language (grade 4 or above)
• A Science (or Engineering) bachelor’s (or higher) degree with a minimum grade of 2:2, specialising in an environmental-focused subject
• Your degree must be accredited by the relevant Professional Institution (Society for the Environment, Engineering Council, Science Council, or Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists & Technologists)
• Pass at online assessment stage

Final-year students can apply with official predicted grades; all qualifications must be evidenced by end of August 2026. (Equivalent level qualifications to GCSEs in the required subject and grades will also be considered). Degree accreditation status will be checked during the selection process.

Application Process

1. Apply Online (13 Oct – 10 Nov 2025)

Complete an online application form using the link in this advert. Complete all information accurately including how you meet our minimum selection criteria.

1. Online Assessments (Nov 2025)

We’ll ask you to complete some interactive assessments. These should take around 20‑30 minutes. They will provide us with insight into your adaptability, how you interact and learn new skills, and how you will naturally act and think at work.

1. Eligibility checks (Dec 2025)

We will review your application form to ensure you meet our minimum selection criteria and nationality requirements.

1. Assessment Centre (Jan–Feb 2026)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment centre at DE&S headquarters, MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol. There will be limited dates available. You’ll undertake an interview, presentation and a group activity. Attendance is required in person, as virtual participation is not available.

1. Provisional Offer (Feb 2026)

We will offer based on order of merit to the number of roles available.

1. Onboarding (March – Aug 2026)

All pre‑employment checks will take place to ensure you evidence our minimum selection and eligibility criteria. If all are successful, we will provide a formal offer of employment.

1. Induction (October 2026)

Subject to confirmation, this scheme is expected to start October 2026.

Additional Information

• Your application form must list your qualifications to meet the minimum selection criteria; if missing, we will be unable to qualify you against our eligibility checks.
• Please note: technical difficulties submitting your application? Provide screenshots and email DESHR-ETCoE-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk.
• We may prioritise interviewing candidates who align most closely to the selection criteria if invites are limited; information may be drawn from your CV.

We will assess you on the following DE&S Behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Civil Service offers are made in order of merit. If you have passed the assessment centre but there are no roles available, you may be offered a lower or alternative role or be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.

Security clearance must be obtained without caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role. If it isn’t obtained prior to start or is obtained with caveats, any conditional offer may be withdrawn.

Some placements are restricted to Sole UK Nationals only due to information classification.

Office attendance and, where applicable, attendance at a training providers site will be required. Travel and accommodation costs are not reimbursed. This post is not eligible for relocation allowances.

Note: In the event of a tied score at the Assessment Centre, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on assessed behaviours above.

In the event of further merit differentiation, the scheme lead will order candidates using candidate assessment feedback.

• Feedback will only be provided if you attend an assessment centre.
• Please view and save our Candidate Information Pack: DE&S Entry Talent Candidate Information Pack

Diversity and Inclusion

As a Disability Confident level 3 leader, DE&S is committed to an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and offer reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria and offer them an interview or assessment centre opportunity if they meet the minimum criteria for the job.

On occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to invite all Disability Confident candidates to an assessment centre, we may limit the number of invites offered. Information may be drawn from other sources such as your CV.

The job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from EU/EEA/Switzerland with status under the EUSS
• Relevant EU/EEA/Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU/EEA/Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU/EEA/Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Civil Service Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data provided during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Where plagiarism is identified, applications may be withdrawn.

Conflicts of Interest

The Ministry of Defence requires all successful candidates to declare outside interests. These declarations will be discussed before a formal offer is made.

Contact

Have a question or need a reasonable adjustment? Email deshr-etcoe-recruitment@mod.gov.uk

Apply now to start your career and make a difference for the UK Armed Forces!