Principal Specialist – Innovation Emissions

470331 Principal Specialist – Innovation Emissions

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 2nd August 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 Emissions to join Survey Operations, based within the UK Technical Maritime Services (UKTMS) Directorate. Areas of work include providing assessment of safety submissions related to emissions in support of applications for the certification of vessels using innovative marine technologies for emissions reductions 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. This role will lead in the facilitation of the MCA’s technical input to support innovation working within regulatory frameworks to help deliver survey and certification pathways.

As a Principal Specialist – Innovation Emissions, you will provide expert technical advice, support and guidance on maritime decarbonisation, alternative fuels, and innovative vessel technologies, supporting the safe integration of emerging solutions within regulatory frameworks. You will work closely with industry, policy, surveyors, and government stakeholders to assess complex projects, develop guidance and policy, and help deliver the UK’s Maritime 2050 Zero Emission Shipping Vision while promoting innovation, safety, and environmental protection across the maritime sector.

Top Responsibilities

Contributing to the management of Survey Operations, supporting Technical Services (Operations) Branches and wider Directorate teams in delivering technical and management initiatives and assisting with steering cultural change in Marine Offices to fully implement MCA’s operational and transformational business objectives.
Providing technical innovative and operational advice within Tech Ops and the UK Maritime Innovation Hub, liaising across Agency and 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 requests for information around other future and emerging technologies and their potential impact on regulation.
Maintaining records to support ISO accreditation and external audits.

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 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 essential qualifications/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/4hoMTGX

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 2^nd August 2026