Location: Hybrid/remote – Abbey Wood, Bristol, with regular office attendance desirable

Rate: Up to £550/day

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Contract: ASAP to 30 June 2027, with a potential extension

Closing Date: 29 October 2026 at 10:00

Security Clearance: Current SC clearance required

Overview

Our customer, a large defence organisation, is seeking an experienced Submarine Sustainment Lead to support the delivery of sustainment solutions within the AUKUS programme.

The role, formally described as AUKUS Sustainment Solution Lead, will focus on developing and implementing sustainment methods for UK Astute Class submarines operating from Western Australia. It involves working closely with UK industry partners, MOD stakeholders and international AUKUS partners to support maintenance planning, delivery arrangements and technical decision-making.

Team Context

The role sits within the SDA AUKUS Sustainment Delivery Group (SDG), supporting preparations for the rotational deployment of UK Astute Class submarines to Western Australia from 2027.

Sustainment activity will be delivered primarily by an Australian workforce, with oversight and assurance from UK industry partners. The successful candidate will work within a small team, collaborating with UK and international stakeholders to develop effective sustainment arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with UK industry partners to support the development and implementation of Base Maintenance Period (Rotational Deployment) (BMP(RD)) sustainment methods.
• Support SDG operations and areas of influence within the AUKUS Phase 2 sustainment operating environment.
• Engage with Australian AUKUS stakeholders to provide advice on UK nuclear-powered submarine sustainment methods.
• Work with MOD stakeholders and industry partners to support Contract Change Proposals.
• Compare and assess differences between existing UK Base Maintenance Period planning processes, in accordance with TISMs, and those required to deliver rotational maintenance periods in Western Australia.
• Support NCHQ and SDG AUKUS management and governance meetings.
• Develop and update SDG Deployed Maintenance Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and Management Plans.
• Produce structured reports and recommendations outlining potential courses of action to support senior sustainment management decisions.
• Supervise work and review outputs produced by junior team members.
• Support trilateral AUKUS meetings and sustainment governance arrangements.
• Respond to requests for information from AUKUS stakeholders.
• Deputise for other members of the SDG AUKUS Sustainment Team during periods of absence.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience working on international programmes and delivering outcomes with MOD industry partners.
• Previous experience of UK submarine in-service support and maintenance delivery.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working within projects and delivering project outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Engineering and submarine delivery background, with an understanding of the structure and organisation of submarine delivery activities.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience producing and managing project artefacts and management information.
• Familiarity with Primavera P6 or similar project management tools.
• Experience using and updating JIRA.
• Familiarity with the organisation and structure of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

Additional Information

• Periodic overseas travel will be required, including visits to US and Australian government establishments.
• Domestic travel to other MOD establishments may also be required.
• Attendance at periodic team away days will be expected.
• Due to the international nature of the programme, attendance at bilateral and trilateral meetings outside normal UK working hours will be required, potentially as early as 06:00 or as late as 22:00.
• UK nationals only.