Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy

480789 Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 13th October 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: 1

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Principal Specialist – Innovation Autonomy, within the Technical Maritime Services Directorate (UKTMS) to help shape the UK’s regulatory approach to MASS and remotely operated vessels. The post sits at the forefront of maritime innovation and is responsible for assessing novel and innovative autonomous vessel safety cases, leading technical assurance activities, supporting routes to commercial certification of vessels, and contributing to the future development of UK and international autonomous vessel regulation. The role will include close liaison with the UK Maritime Innovation Hub within UK Customer Maritime Services (UKCMS) as well as providing advice to Marine Office staff, MCA internal and external stakeholders.

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.
Knowledge of engineering systems relevant or transferable to maritime decarbonization/digitalisation.

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply here: https://bit.ly/3VCWu3W

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Tuesday 13^th October 2026