Logistics & Support

Logistics & Support – Aviation Fuels Technical Support

UK Civil Service Job Opportunity – Ministry of Defence

Important: This vacancy does NOT offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who require UK visa sponsorship under the points-based immigration system are not eligible for this position.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is recruiting for a permanent Aviation Fuels Technical Support position within its Logistics & Support organisation.

This is a specialist science and technical role based in Abbey Wood, Bristol, offering a salary of £37,720 per year pro rata and Civil Service pension benefits.

Suitable applicants

This opportunity may be suitable for candidates with:

• A degree in Chemistry or another relevant scientific subject; or
• An HND/HNC in Chemistry plus at least 3 years’ equivalent experience
• Experience or knowledge relevant to fuels, lubricants and associated products
• An interest in aviation fuels, fuel standards, technical assurance or Defence logistics
• Experience providing technical advice and guidance
• The ability to work with operational, technical and industry stakeholders
• Membership of a relevant professional institute or equivalent body

UK right-to-work eligibility is required. The MOD explicitly states that this role will not sponsor a Skilled Worker visa.

Job overview

Employer: Ministry of Defence
Department: MOD – National Armaments Directorate
Business Area: Logistics & Support – Joint Support – Operational Fuels Energy
Job Title: Logistics & Support – Aviation Fuels Technical Support
Reference: 475424
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (C2)
Salary: £37,720 per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 1
Location: Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
Type of Role: Science
Hours: 37 hours per week
Closing Date: 11:55 pm, Tuesday 25 August 2026

Visa sponsorship – important information

No Skilled Worker visa sponsorship

Applicants requiring sponsorship should not apply for this vacancy.

The Ministry of Defence states that, following changes to UK immigration rules, it will only offer Skilled Worker sponsorship where a role has been assessed as business critical.

This Aviation Fuels Technical Support role does not meet that category and the MOD will not sponsor a visa for this position.

If an applicant is found to require sponsorship, the application may be rejected and any provisional offer withdrawn.

This makes the vacancy primarily suitable for candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship.

About the role

The Logistics & Support Organisation plays a central role in supporting the UK’s Armed Forces.

The organisation provides logistics and engineering support to UK Armed Forces at home and overseas and works across planning, operational delivery and transformation.

The successful candidate will provide specialist technical expertise relating to aviation fuels, oils, lubricants and associated products used by the UK Armed Forces.

The role involves supporting Defence to ensure that relevant products meet required standards, specifications and operational requirements.

You will also provide technical advice to stakeholders across MOD, Commands, operational headquarters, units and fielded forces.

Key responsibilities

The Aviation Fuels Technical Support professional will support the Air Technical Manager and provide specialist technical advice relating to aviation fuels, lubricants and associated products.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing Air Technical Subject Matter Expert support to contingency planning.
• Supporting Military Strategic Planning and Strategic Command operations.
• Providing technical direction and guidance for operations at operational headquarters and tactical user-unit levels.
• Contributing technical expertise to UK Defence doctrine concerning fuels, lubricants and associated products.
• Supporting the development of future logistics doctrine.
• Contributing to National Fuel and Lubricant Concepts.
• Providing technical input into International Fuel Exchange Agreements.
• Supporting the generation and maintenance of relevant fuel exchange arrangements.
• Contributing to the identification and management of Defence fuel and lubricant risks.
• Supporting the management of operational risks and issues within Commands.
• Contributing to the identification and management of capability risks.
• Supporting current operations, standing tasks and contingency capability.
• Collating, analysing and providing lessons identified.
• Supporting cost-effective and timely fuels and lubricants logistics.
• Providing technical advice to suppliers and users.
• Reviewing Defence Standard specifications for fuels, lubricants and associated products.
• Providing further technical duties as directed by the appropriate Defence authority.

Essential qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Option 1:
A degree in Chemistry or another relevant scientific subject.

OR

Option 2:
An HND/HNC in Chemistry together with 3 years’ equivalent experience.

Applicants should also hold membership of a relevant professional institute or equivalent professional body.

Desirable experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Fuels and lubricants laboratory analysis techniques.
• Understanding of the fuels and lubricants industry.
• Knowledge of the properties and chemistry of fuels.
• Knowledge of lubricants and associated products.
• Technical standards and specifications.
• Scientific analysis.
• Technical assurance.
• Working with suppliers and technical stakeholders.
• Defence or military logistics environments.

Civil Service Success Profiles

Candidates will be assessed using the Civil Service Success Profiles framework.

The vacancy will assess candidates against experience and the following behaviours:

Managing a Quality Service

Demonstrating the ability to deliver high-quality services, maintain standards and ensure that outputs meet organisational and operational requirements.

Seeing the Big Picture

Understanding wider strategic objectives and how technical work contributes to Defence priorities and operational capability.

Making Effective Decisions

Using evidence, professional expertise and sound judgement to make appropriate technical and operational decisions.

Working Together

Building effective working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, suppliers and other organisations.

Selection process

Candidates will be required to provide CV information covering:

• Employment history
• Qualifications
• Skills
• Previous experience
• Relevant achievements

At the initial sift, the CV will be assessed against:

• Key achievements
• Relevant experience
• Applied knowledge and skills

Candidates invited to interview will also be assessed against the relevant technical competencies and Civil Service behaviours.

Important application warning

The MOD states that applicants must ensure all examples and statements submitted are truthful and based on their own experience.

Artificial intelligence may be used as a supporting tool, but candidates must not present AI-generated material or another person’s experience as their own.

Salary and pension

The position offers:

£37,720 per year pro rata

In addition, the Ministry of Defence contributes approximately £10,927 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

The employer pension contribution is stated as 28.97%.

Benefits

Successful candidates can receive a range of Civil Service and MOD benefits, including:

• 25 days’ paid annual leave.
• Annual leave increasing by one day per year to 30 days after five years’ service.
• Civil Service pension.
• Personal and professional development opportunities.
• Confidential professional support services.
• Employee discount schemes.
• Bicycle loans.
• Season ticket loans.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
• Up to six days’ special paid volunteering leave per year.
• Free onsite parking.
• Access to a gymnasium.
• Flexible working options.
• Inclusive working environment.
• Professional development opportunities.

Flexible and hybrid working

Where business requirements allow, some roles may support a combination of office and home-based working.

However, the advert states that office-based employees are generally expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office, subject to capacity and workplace adjustments.

Applicants can request further information about working arrangements from the vacancy holder.

Location

Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH

The role is based within the Ministry of Defence’s operational energy and logistics environment.

Important employment conditions

Applicants should be aware of the following conditions:

• The position does not offer relocation expenses.
• External recruits who are new to the Civil Service will normally be subject to a six-month probation period.
• Travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
• The MOD is reviewing pay-related allowances, which may affect allowances attached to the advertised position.
• Pre-employment checks will be conducted.
• Successful candidates must declare relevant outside interests.
• Appropriate security checks are required before appointment.

Security requirements

Successful candidates must undergo the required security and pre-employment checks.

The vacancy states that successful candidates must:

• Complete a basic or equivalent criminal record check.
• Meet the required security clearance requirements.
• Complete relevant personnel security checks.
• Meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard requirements applicable to government personnel.

Nationality and right-to-work requirements

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

• UK nationals.
• Republic of Ireland nationals.
• Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
• Certain EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals with qualifying settled or pre-settled status.
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who meet the applicable EUSS requirements.
• Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the relevant right to work in the Civil Service.

Applicants should check the official Civil Service nationality requirements before applying.

Who should apply?

This vacancy is particularly relevant to candidates who have:

• Chemistry qualifications.
• Scientific or laboratory experience.
• Fuels and lubricants knowledge.
• Aviation fuel knowledge.
• Technical standards experience.
• Scientific analysis experience.
• Technical advisory experience.
• Experience working with operational or engineering teams.
• The right to work in the UK without requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Who should NOT apply?

You should not apply if:

• You require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this position.
• You do not meet the required Chemistry/scientific qualification criteria.
• You cannot satisfy the relevant UK Civil Service nationality or right-to-work requirements.
• You cannot meet the required security and pre-employment checks.

Application deadline

Deadline: Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 11:55 pm

Applications should be submitted before the closing deadline.

Because the advert may no longer be available after the vacancy closes, candidates should retain a copy of the job description and supporting information for their records.

Job reference

Reference number: 475424

Contact information

Job contact: Danielle Monaghan
Email: Danielle.monaghan101@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team: Defence Business Services – Civilian Personnel Resourcing Team
Email: DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

Full details and application

For the official vacancy, full eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit the Civil Service Jobs listing:

Logistics & Support – Aviation Fuels Technical Support – Ministry of Defence

View Full Details + Apply

Quick summary

Final note for applicants

This is a specialist MOD technical position offering the opportunity to work on aviation fuels, lubricants, technical standards and Defence logistics.

However, do not confuse this with a visa sponsorship vacancy. The official advert explicitly confirms that the role does not offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Candidates who already have the appropriate UK right to work and meet the Chemistry/scientific qualification and experience requirements may wish to consider applying before the deadline.