Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy

470444 Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 26th July 2026

📍 Location: Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardiff, Hull, Liverpool, Plymouth, South Shields, Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

💷 Salary: £57,515 – A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

🕘️ Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

🏆️ Available Positions: 2

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy. Based in Survey Operations (within the UK Technical Maritime Services Directorate ‘UKTMS’); areas of work include providing assessment of safety submissions related to autonomy in support of applications for the certification of vessels using innovative marine technologies for autonomous vessels including providing advice to Marine Office staff, MCA internal and external stakeholders and producing guidance. We provide support to UKMS Policy teams and Maritime Technology Research and Development working closely with other Tech Ops teams to ensure consistency of approach. The role will include close liaison with the Directorate of UK Customer Maritime Services (UKCMS) relating to the UK Maritime Innovation Hub.

As a Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy, you will lead the assessment and integration of autonomous and emerging maritime technologies, providing expert technical assurance, policy support and regulatory guidance. Working closely with industry, government and MCA stakeholders, you will help shape safe, innovative and sustainable maritime operations, support complex certification and safety case projects, and contribute to the development of future-focused regulations, including those relating to decarbonisation and alternative fuels.

Top Responsibilities

Contributing to the management of Survey Operations in the delivery of technical and management initiatives and assisting with the steering of cultural change in Marine Offices to fully implement MCAs operational and transformational business objectives.
Providing technical, innovate and operation advise within Tech Ops and the UK Maritime Innovation Hub, liaising across Agency, Government and external stakeholders.
Playing a key role in the management and processing of safety cases including MGN 664 work and associated Quality Assurance process
Supporting ISO accreditation and ensuring readiness for internal and external audits.
Providing detailed technical specialist support to UKTMS surveyors and Marine Office Surveyors with survey/certification issues or complex cases involving innovative technologies.

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

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.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

Engineering degree to Masters level (Meng, MSc) or equivalent experience of a technical specialism with proven experience of working with emerging technologies or experience and understanding of the maritime industry from working within a technical capacity in the industry and can demonstrate an understanding of relevant engineering concepts
Carrying out detailed engineering analysis/modelling/research
Working with risk-based assessment or safety case processes
Communicating with a range of senior stakeholders and decision makers
Working with ambiguity and articulating the links between your work and wider strategic goals with internal & external stakeholders.

Essential qualifications/licenses

A valid passport for international travel
Driving licence valid for driving in the UK

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply here: https://bit.ly/3R2YfWx

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 26^th July 2026