Autonomous Vessel Training Lead

Join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and play a leading role in shaping the future of maritime regulation. We're seeking an experienced professional to lead the development and delivery of the regulatory pathway for autonomous vessels. You'll engage with key stakeholders, drive innovation in training and certification, and influence UK and international maritime policy. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of emerging maritime technologies and ensure the UK remains a global leader in maritime safety and regulation.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:
1. Provide expert technical input to support the development, maintenance, and delivery of the Autonomous vessel Operator Training development programme/work plan and to enable delivery against the plan.
2. Build expertise in implementation of training requirement for autonomous vessel from a regulatory perspective so that technical advice can be given to operators to train Autonomous vessel operators.
3. Leading the engagement with other administrations that have an interest in development of training for Autonomous vessels
4. Represent UK in national and international working groups in the area of training for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process., Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) is the largest and most diverse professional community across the Civil Service. Many of us will have an association with several professional communities or specialisms, ODP applies to all public facing roles / or a role that is primarily aligned to supporting the work of those with public facing roles. All critical to the delivery of UK public services.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Regular travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship - candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Leadership
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Changing and Improving
+ Working Together

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Underpinning Competencies - Level 2: Understanding and application of bridge operation of seagoing commercial ships, Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Stage 2: Interview
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
Experience - you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750 word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
+ Experience and understanding of the maritime industry from working on board vessels and an understanding of relevant concepts of Navigation.
+ Previous experience of working in a fast-paced and agile environment and dealing with a large number of diverse stakeholders.
The sift will take place week commencing 27th October 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
+ Behaviours - Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Changing and Improving, Working Together
+ Technical - MSF 4989-Underpinning Competencies - Level 2: Understanding and application of bridge operation of seagoing commercial ships
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Behaviours Seeing the Big Picture and Working Together. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews will take place week commencing 24th November 2025.
This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Do you have experience working on board vessels and a solid understanding of maritime navigation concepts-and are you interested in applying that knowledge to support the operation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)?, 1. A valid passport for international travel
2. STCW certificate of competency Chief Mate II/2 or STCW Certificate of Competency OOW II/1 with at least one of the following experiences, listed below, To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
1. Experience and understanding of the maritime industry from working on board vessels and an understanding of relevant concepts of Navigation.
2. Previous experience of working in a fast-paced and agile environment and dealing with a large number of diverse stakeholders., Valid Passport for International Travel, STCW certificate of competency Chief Mate II/2 or STCW Certificate of Competency OOW II/1

Can you lead the introduction discussion and delivery of the regulatory pathway on training for autonomous vessels, engaging effectively with stakeholders across industry and government?
Are you passionate about collaborating with senior leaders and teams to shape UK maritime policy, role model organisational values, and guide industry through innovation and regulatory change?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
+ Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
+ 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
+ Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at MCA.

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
+ Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
+ 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
+ 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
+ Access to the staff discount portal.
+ Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
+ Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
+ 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
+ Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window)., A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
A criminal record is not necessarily a bar to obtaining employment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.