We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Executive Officer (SEO) to join the Vehicle Certification Agency's International Operations Team. This role offers the chance to work at the forefront of vehicle certification, supporting both UK and international clients in a fast-evolving technical landscape.
We're looking for someone who:
+ Brings enthusiasm and drive, working collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers to deliver results.
+ Enjoys the challenges of leadership and management in a technically complex environment, supporting and developing a high-performing team of engineers.
+ Thrives on variety and flexibility, adapting to shifting priorities and contributing across a broad range of technical and operational activities.
+ Is proactive and organised, with strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills-both written and verbal.
Our team is constantly evolving, with colleagues developing new skills and progressing into diverse roles across the Agency. This growth creates exciting new opportunities-like this one-for talented individuals to join us and make a real impact.
Your main duties will include, but are not limited to:
As a Principal Engineer (SEO), you will play a key leadership role in the delivery of vehicle, system, and component certification services.
+ Lead and Develop a High-Performing Technical Team
Provide day-to-day management and strategic leadership for a team of Type Approval Engineers and Technical Support Officers. Support their professional development, ensure consistent delivery of high-quality work, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and motivated team culture.
+ Oversee and Assure Certification Activities
Take responsibility for the planning, coordination, and oversight of complex Type Approval and Conformity of Production (CoP) programmes. This includes ensuring the technical accuracy and regulatory compliance of activities such as vehicle and component inspections, test witnessing, and approval documentation.
+ Drive Operational Excellence and Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a senior point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, alignment with ISO17020 and ISO17025 standards, and continuous improvement of processes. Champion quality, customer service, and technical integrity across all areas of delivery.
To see the full role information, please see the attached role profile., Please note: the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live, so you may receive your sift scores before the advert closing date.
The sift will take place week commencing 28th July 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
+ Behaviours - (Leadership, Managing a Quality Service, Developing Self and Others)
+ Experience
+ Technical - (Assessed against the Government Science and Engineering Career Framework )
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation that assessed technical. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews will take place week commencing 18th August 2025.
Your technical skills will be assessed against the Government Science and Engineering Framework, please click here to find out more Government science and engineering: career framework - GOV.UK
This interview will be conducted in person at our Nuneaton office (VCA Midlands Centre, Mira Dr, Nuneaton CV10 0UA) . Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).
If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.
AI Tools and Platforms
During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) tools and platforms to support them in writing their Behaviours, CVs and Personal Statements. However, you must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview is truthful and factually accurate. Applications may be rejected if plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or concepts generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. You can read more here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment., + UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Technical Expertise: Substantial experience in an automotive regulatory, testing, or certification environment, with subject matter expertise in one or more key technical areas relevant to vehicle systems or components.
+ Customer-Focused Delivery: A strong track record of working in a customer-oriented environment, building effective relationships and delivering high-quality, value-driven outcomes.
+ Leadership and Financial Acumen: Demonstrable leadership experience, including managing and developing teams, with sound financial awareness and the ability to build and maintain commercially focused client relationships.
+ Project Management: Proven ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver complex technical programmes, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to regulatory and quality standards.
+ Adaptability and Resilience: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with the ability to manage shifting priorities and maintain performance under pressure.
+ Commitment to Development: A proactive approach to personal and professional development, with a strong commitment to supporting the growth and capability of your team through coaching, mentoring, and continuous learning.
+ Willingness to Travel: Willing and able to travel extensively within the UK and internationally, including overseas assignments of up to four weeks at a time, several times per year if required., Level 5 or Level 6 qualification in an engineering or technical discipline, (or suitable equivalent engineering qualification supplemented by relevant experience from the automotive industry). This includes qualifications such as: Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), Bachelor's Degrees (including Honours)., + Leadership
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Developing Self and Others

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Building and applying knowledge - Regulatory Knowledge.
+ Building and applying knowledge - Complying with requirements/standards
+ Technical oversight and management - Overseeing technical work
+ Developing engineering capability - Mentoring, Experience - you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
+ Leadership and Delivery Focus
Experience of leading or contributing to the successful delivery of technical projects or programmes, managing competing priorities, and ensuring high-quality outcomes are achieved on time and within scope.
+ Technical and Regulatory Expertise
Experience of working in an engineering or technical capacity, applying procedures and interpreting complex regulations or standards-ideally within an automotive, testing, or certification environment.
+ Analytical and Decision-Making Skills
Experience of analysing technical data, documentation, or test results to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, and communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Are you a proactive and driven professional who thrives in a dynamic, collaborative environment?
Do you enjoy the challenge of leading technical teams and take pride in delivering high-quality outcomes at pace?
Can you adapt to change and lead the delivery of new ideas and practices?
Does a vocation with the opportunity for travel, career progression and many other benefits appeal to you?
If you are looking for your next opportunity, we would like to hear from you.
Our work is focused on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection by providing robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards. We are a part of the Department of Transport as the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With more than 40 years' experience, we have become one of the largest and well-respected approval bodies around. This position has been built on a reputation for technical expertise and quality, which is at the heart of everything we do, and what you could be a part of.
Do not just take our word for it, here is Andrew Neil, Head of Midlands Operations at the VCA, to tell you more. Please also refer to our Candidate Pack and VCA website for more information.
VCA International Operations - Join the team
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
+ 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), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
+ Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at Vehicle Certification Agency - Department for Transport Careers

This role is suitable for hybrid working, and therefore a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement where employees have the flexibility to work remotely combined with a minimum of 60% of their working time a month at either their principal workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, visiting stakeholders and colleagues, or carrying out detached duty in another VCA workplace. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
We welcome applications from individuals seeking full-time, part-time (minimum of 3 days per week, ideally across three consecutive days), and flexible working arrangements.
If you have questions regarding how hybrid working is practiced within the business area, or any reasonable adjustments or flexible working arrangements you may currently have or need in place if successful in your application, please contact the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
VCA does not offer Visa sponsorship. Candidates should ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Engineering Skills Allowance
In addition to your basic salary, this role attracts a non-pensionable £4,500 annual allowance in recognition of the requirement for professional engineering and/or relevant professional occupational experience. After 3-years in post, the allowance will be increased to £9,000 per annum to reflect experience gained in the role. If you work part time, these payments will be pro-rated.

Licences
A full UK Category B Driving Licence is required.
Please note: non-UK licences are not accepted for this role., Alongside your salary of £48,698, Vehicle Certification Agency contributes £14,107 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic 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.
+ 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
+ Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).