This is leading-edge work
Careers in Engineering
This is leading-edge work
Careers in Engineering
Engineering with precision and purpose
From mountain summits to ocean depths. Far flung global locations to those closer to home. Behind our world changing scientific capabilities and forecasting expertise lies an incredible amount of weather data. And our engineers go above and beyond to collect the best data with everything from state-of-the-art weather radars to oceanographic buoys. The world is changing rapidly and the need for new, innovative ways to meet customers’ data requirements, is bigger than ever. Our teams provide a holistic approach to monitoring the weather and climate and Meteorological Engineering is critical to our forecasts, services, climate change capabilities.
Keep an eye on what our Engineering team are up to by using the hashtag #EngineeringForGood.
What we look for in an engineer
Our teams of engineers come from a range of backgrounds and levels. The relevant skills you bring to us are more important than where you come from. Be it from a degree or practical experience, you’ll need a good knowledge of engineering: working with electronics, mechanisms, calibration, instrumentation and process measurements. You’ll combine initiative and independence with the ability to work as a great team player; proactivity and urgency with high professional standards; and technical ability with those all-important softer skills.
We will, of course, give you extensive training but we’d like you to come to us with a natural passion for finding innovative solutions to complex problems. Our engineers need analytical, inquisitive minds: people who aren’t afraid to think differently and people who don’t shy away from complex challenges. You may be out and about at different sites, interacting with different people so it’s important that you’re confident talking to people at all levels. A good sense of commercial awareness and business acumen would also be great. Although we don’t expect you to know everything, it’s fundamental that you’re keen to learn and develop your skills.
Read Alex's story of moving from engineering with the military to the Met OfficeOur engineering teams
Research and Development
Field Services
Transitions and Data Quality
Marine and Technical Services
Weather Radar
Research and Development
We are a purpose driven organisation who love what we do. In fact, we live and breathe it. Our designated research and development team are constantly working towards developing new instruments and capabilities, to deliver world-changing work and keep the Met Office fit for the future.
Field Services
Observations feed into meteorological forecasting. Based around the UK and in Exeter, our field and marine service engineers provide around the clock critical maintenance, installation and repair of machinery, systems and equipment that are vital to the Met Office operations.
Transitions and Data Quality
Technical expertise is essential to deliver the best solutions to our customers. Working in a mixed team, our technical services engineers provide tech support and other IT services, often for highly technical systems or those used by customers in technical or scientific fields.
Marine and Technical Services
The Marine Systems Engineering team is responsible for developing, deploying, operating and maintaining offshore observational sites on everything from a fleet of voluntary ships to buoys in the Atlantic Ocean, light vessels in the English Channel and other platforms of opportunity. As marine observations come from data sparse regions, they are incredibly valuable to the global meteorological community and key to delivering world-changing work.
Weather Radar
The radar systems team works to develop and improve our radar systems, to provide the next generation of Weather Radar capability. This team looks after the UK Weather Radar Network, which provides continuous, real-time rainfall data over almost the whole of the UK land area and inshore waters. And gives us valuable information for immediate emergency response in times of extreme weather conditions, as well as providing data to flood planners when managing future risk.
The types of projects you could be working on
East Anglian radar project
The addition of a radar in East Anglia to improve network coverage, to give better and more detailed observations of rainfall further east than currently possible.
Engineering in extreme weather
Maintaining sensors and installing a new logger and mobile communications at the Severe Icing Environment Synoptic Automatic Weather Stations (SIESAWS) at Cairngorm and Cairnwell.
Maintaining offshore equipment
Maintaining weather stations to record extreme weather conditions at the top of mountains to heading out to the vastness of the open sea.
Engineering around the world
The opportunity to complete short term detachments at our British Overseas Territories for routine servicing and upgrades to our weather systems.
Investing in your development
This is engineering with real-world purpose, and we want our engineers to be equipped with up to the minute knowledge on the latest technical advances. So, we invest in your world of development, with exciting projects, fresh challenges and continuous learning opportunities. Our Engineering Professional Skills Framework provides a career map to show different available routes to help you reach your career aspirations. The Framework is aligned with the Engineering Council UK. You’ll receive regular engineer training, in everything from, Climb and Rescue, Advanced Driving and Equipment Training. We’ll also support you through Professional Registration to gain Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer status.
Find out moreMeet some of the team
Alex Collins
Marine Systems Senior Engineer
I joined the Met Office as a Marine Systems Senior Engineer after working as a Royal Navy Weapons Engineer for eight years. I’d definitely encourage military leavers to consider a career with the Met Office, because of the transferrable skills.
Aaron Bartlett
Engineer (previously Engineering Apprentice)
I’ve had the opportunity to work on some fantastic projects that have a real purpose. I helped with the complete upgrade of the UK land-based automatic weather stations, which gives me a sense of pride when I watch the weather forecasts on TV now. When they list where rainfall, temperature or wind speeds have been recorded, often I can say “I’ve been there” or “I upgraded that weather site.”
Dave Hiscock
Engineering Manager (Systems Engineering Services)
I like the range of activities and opportunities within my role, and I find it rewarding to help other people develop their careers. From getting the wires right for a Stevenson Screen in the middle of a field to repairing wind sensors at an airport, engineering is crucial to what we do. I’ve found the Met Office to be a welcoming, supportive and flexible place to work, which means I have time to support my family and get a good work-life balance.
Ashley Jones
Senior Engineer
I’ve taken part in many opportunities I hadn’t imagined when I first applied for the role. These have included setting up weather equipment for the Wimbledon tennis tournament and Open golf tournament in Northern Ireland. Seeing behind the scenes of these events is fascinating, and playing a key role in the setup of major sporting events is something I can be proud of.
Watnall Met Office