ISTAR FHQ A4 CT E7 P8|2135207

A vacancy has arisen for a Chief Technician Engineer to serve as ISTAR FHQ E7 and P8 SME, Asset and Performance Manager  at RAF Lossiemouth on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 01 October 2026, or earlier/later depending on candidate status.

Responsible for:

• Development, promotion & sustainment of the operational capability of the ISTAR Force by providing Engineering advice to influence decision making within the FHQ.
• Act as the FHQ A4 lead for Avionic & Mechanical engineering issues on P8 & E7 platforms. Liaise with Weapons TM to provide any Weapons SME input.
• Provide ISTAR FHQ A4 advice, direction and priorities to RAF Lossiemouth, ISTAR Delivery Teams, NADG and platform operating Sqns.
• Responsible to FS P8 E7 for strategic P8 & E7 ISTAR Asset Fleet Planning, data analysis and distribution, working in conjunction with CAMO & CAMSS.
• Provide input to platform Command Acquisition Support Plan (CASP) Support Annexes and provide Eng Spt in the use & development of the CASP Annexes.
• Monitor the performance of NADG in delivering solutions that maintain airworthiness and their compliance to the CASP Annexes.
• Deputise for FS A4 Eng and Logs Spt and SO3 A4 Eng and Logs Spt as required.

Chief Technician Engineer  (Aviators) Must either have been, or currently be, a Chief Technician Engineer

• Recent Operational, Maintenance and Deployment Planning experience
• Recent experience with CAMO, NADG and Forward environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling confident and applicable interaction with diverse stakeholders, organisations, and agencies.
• Good interpersonal skills to build strong network of stakeholders.
• NSV Security|Security Check|Joint|No
• Experience with Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Microsoft Word.

• Training|STAC Aircraft Engineer|RAF|
• Air Worthiness|TR75 CAMO Regulations|Joint|
• Air Worthiness|TT08 Continuing Airworthiness Management for a Defence CAMO|Joint|

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3/4 appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: FS Hendry         Air-1Gp-ISTAR-A4 FSEngWad   colin.hendry475@mod.gov.uk

Tel: MS Teams +44303 378 8960

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 3. Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Name: Wg Cdr Helen Hurry      Air-1Gp-ISTAR-A4 SO1   Helen.Hurry956@mod.gov.uk  Tel: MS Teams +44 303 379 6522

The closing date for applications is 21 August 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 31 August 2026.

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 3 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis. 

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF Lossiemouth.