Test and Evaluation Technical Lead in Charlestown

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. The Innovation Directorate sits at the heart of the Home Office, ensuring the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.

As the Test and Evaluation Technical Lead you will work in the Less Lethal Weapons and Armed Policing team, applying strong scientific expertise alongside robust programme and project delivery methodologies, to ensure scientifically robust, proportionate and timely delivery of test and evaluation assurance services in this highly complex and technical area. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team and apply your scientific and technical knowledge and experience to a high profile and essential service to policing contributing to the safe and effective deployment of technologies ensuring police officer and public safety.

You will be part of the multi-disciplinary Test and Evaluation Team responsible for supporting police equipment assurance of personal protective equipment (PPE), road traffic law enforcement equipment, drink and drug drive test instruments, and assessments of less lethal weapons (LLW) and armed policing equipment.

The Test and Evaluation Team in Home Office Science provides the robust, independent scientific and technical evaluation and evidence to inform decisions on the authorisation of critical equipment for police use. This service is delivered through close collaboration with policy teams, operational policing partners, external suppliers and industry providers.

We are specifically seeking an individual with either an engineering or physics background to apply their expertise to support advice focused on armed policing and less lethal weapons capabilities. The role requires strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex data and translate findings into clear advice. This is a delivery-focused role suited to someone who enjoys applying science in practical, real-world contexts and contributing to high-impact, safety-critical outcomes.

As a Technical Lead, you will work closely with other technical experts in the team, policy leads and external science and technology delivery partners including test facilities to manage assurance activities, processes and information to support delivery of robust and timely test and evaluation assurance services. You will ensure that approaches are scientifically robust, proportionate, and aligned to relevant guidance and safety requirements, ensuring they are cost-effective, responsive, resilient, and trusted by all.

Key responsibilities:

• Applying engineering or physics scientific and analytical skills to manage armed policing and less lethal weapons assurance work strands incorporating technical advice and scrutinising of technical outputs, ensuring alignment with codes of practice, guidance, and safety requirements.
• Analyse and interpret scientific and technical data to deliver expert advice in relation to assurance activities and equipment, producing clear outputs to inform decisions and assurance processes.
• Work with external suppliers and laboratories to support delivery of testing, ensuring outputs meet agreed time, quality, and cost requirements.
• Supporting the review and revision of guidelines ensuring they are scientifically robust and meet operational requirements judging when incremental updates are appropriate versus fundamental redesign.
• Understanding market maturity including assessing the impact of the standard on innovation.
• Building and maintaining engagement with stakeholders internally (e.g. policy, commercial, operational policing) and external suppliers to support delivery of assurance services.
• Identify and escalate risks or issues arising from testing and evaluation activities (e.g. non-compliance) and contribute to continuous improvement of approaches, processes and documentation.
• Support to investigations if there are any issues or failures of equipment.

The above responsibilities are not exhaustive, and the post holders may be required to undertake any of the above tasks or additional tasks not listed above, within the remit of their grade, to support the team.

This role sits within the Government Science & Engineering (GSE) profession and draws on key capability areas including: Applying scientific knowledge to real-world problems; Communicating science for government purposes; Supporting technical delivery and oversight; Developing practical and proportionate scientific approaches.

Working Pattern:

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours are available. Regular UK travel is required (including some with overnight stays) along with occasional overseas travel. Any associated costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

Person specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant experience in an associated scientific or technical field.
• Experience in weapons / defence engineering.
• Experience in the delivery, oversight and management of technical services, scientific or research and development projects which apply scientific knowledge to real world problems.
• Ability to manage, plan, schedule workload and maintain technical delivery in fast-paced complex environments communicating clear outcomes of evidence-based decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate technical information clearly to a range of audiences, including non-specialists.
• Strong engagement skills to quickly build good working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and draw on others’ skills, knowledge and expertise.
• Ability to design and support experimental or test activities and interpret results.

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of operational policing, experience in working with police stakeholders or in a public safety focused environment.
• Experience of working with external suppliers of scientific capabilities.

Qualifications:

An engineering or physics degree or higher is mandatory for this post.

Behaviours:

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills:

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Overseeing Technical work (Leader)
• Developing / Maintaining Expertise (Experienced)

Benefits:

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.
• Successful candidates may be eligible for an annual RRA of 2,000.

See more of our benefits on our careers website.