SO2 AEROSYSTEMS DIRECTING STAFF (DS)

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Ldr Any Profession to serve as SO2 AeroSystems DS at Shrivenham on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 10 August 2026.

Unit & Position Role

Unit Function:

Delivery of world-class education and training to develop the intellectual edge needed for success on operations and leadership in government.

Position Role:

AeroSystems Directing Staff in the Defence Airworthiness and AeroSystems Technology School (DAATS).

Responsibilities:

• Undertake role of Directing Staff including the welfare and duty of care responsibilities for AeroSystems students.
• Undertake line management responsibilities for personnel under your command.
• Be the SO2 SQEP lead for Test & Evaluation aspects of the AeroSystems Cse.
• Undertake tasks to support the delivery of the AeroSystems Cse including acting as the SO2 lead for J6 and J7 risk management support functions.
• Have a positive and proactive attitude towards initiating and delivering Continuous Improvement (CI) activity.
• Deputise for OC DAATS (as required).
• SO2 lead for task management within the team and act as secretary for key meetings.
• Design and deliver inspiring presentations on military AeroSystems-related topics to a variety of stakeholders, incl STEM groups.

(Officers) Must either have been, or currently be, a Sqn Ldr or a Flt Lt eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board.

List required competencies here, for example:

• QAS qualified and experienced, especially in Test & Evaluation.
• Positive recommendation for instructor duties.
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude towards Continuous Improvement.

• Post Command.
• Completed relevant IOD.
• Qualified and Experienced in Programme / Project Management.

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

Name: WO K Chapman

Email: CSOCPeople-HR-ResHubGpMb@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

WO K Chapman CSOCPeople-HR-ResHubGpMb@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 10 May 2026 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 18 May 2026.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned 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 4 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.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the 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(FC) TCoS are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) as per Regular entitlements.

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.

Personnel serving on VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation.