Test and Evaluation Technical Lead (Physicist)

London W9 2NR, UKSalary: 49,850 - 56,850 per yearEmployment: Full timeCategory: EngineeringPosted: 2026-07-29Valid to: 2026-08-20Employer: Home OfficeJob summaryThe Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.The Innovation directorates sit at the heart of the Home Office, ensuring the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.The Test and Evaluation Technical Lead will apply scientific and technical expertise to police equipment assurance processes. You will be responsible for Home Office-owned technical standards and for working with partners to assure equipment against these standards, providing high quality, robust evidenced advice to policy decision-makers on authorisation for police use. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team and apply your scientific and technical knowledge and experience to a high profile and essential service to policing contributing to the safe and effective deployment of technologies ensuing police officer and public safety. Job descriptionWe are specifically seeking an individual with either an engineering or physics background to apply their expertise to support advice focussed on armed policing and less lethal weapons capabilities. The role requires strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex data and translate findings into clear advice. This is a delivery-focused role suited to someone who enjoys applying science in practical, real-world contexts and contributing to high-impact, safety-critical outcomes. As a Technical Lead, you will work closely with other technical experts in the team, policy leads and external science and technology delivery partners including test facilities to manage assurance activities, processes and information to support delivery of robust and timely test and evaluation assurance services. You will also be responsible for contributing to standards management to ensure operational safety, consistency, legal defensibility and interoperability across policing and related functions. ResponsibilitiesDuties include but are not limited to:Applying engineering or physics scientific and analytical skills to manage armed policing and less lethal weapons assurance work strands incorporating technical advice and scrutinising of technical outputs, ensuring alignment with codes of practice, guidance, and safety requirements. Analysing and interpreting scientific and technical data to deliver expert advice in relation to assurance activities and equipment, producing clear outputs to inform decisions and assurance processes. Working with external suppliers and laboratories to support delivery of testing, ensuring outputs meet agreed time, quality, and cost requirements. Building and maintaining engagement with stakeholders internally (e.g. policy, commercial, operational policing) and external suppliers to support delivery of assurance services. Identifying and escalating risks or issues arising from testing and evaluation activities (e.g. non-compliance). This role sits within the Government Science & Engineering (GSE) profession and draws on key capability areas including: Applying scientific knowledge to real-world problems; Communicating science for government purposes; Developing practical and proportionate scientific approaches. Working patternsDue to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. TravelPlease note regular UK travel is required (including some with overnight stays) along with occasional overseas travel. Holding a full valid UK driving license is therefore preferable.Experience in the delivery, oversight and management of technical services, scientific or research and development projects which apply scientific knowledge to real world problems. Experience of working with external suppliers of scientific capabilities. QualificationsAn engineering or physics degree or higher, or relevant experience in an associated scientific or technical field.Managing a Quality ServiceCommunicating and InfluencingDelivering at PaceWe only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:Managing a Quality ServiceTechnical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:Overseeing Technical work (Leader)Developing / Maintaining Expertise (Experienced)BenefitsLearning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.This role currently attracts a Recruitment and Retention Allowance of 2,000pa.Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.Evidence of the Behaviour Managing a Quality Service (maximum of 250 words).Your CV should consist of your relevant career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any relevant key achievements in each role. For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.The sift will be held on the Personal Statement, the CV, and the lead Behaviour Managing a Quality Service.For guidance on the Technical skills, please refer to the Government, Science and Engineering (GSE) framework:Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.Further information can be found on our website.Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. Further information can be found on our website.Additional Security Checks As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. Reasonable AdjustmentsIf a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needsComplete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professionalIf you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.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 InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Contact point for applicantsJob contact : Name : Home Office Resourcing CentreEmail : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.