DML Devonport Careers - What we search for

Suzanne Molyneux
Business Analyst - Logistics

I graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Management Science in 2000.

I joined the DML Graduate Training Scheme in 2002 as a Commercial Graduate and spent the first two years moving between different departments and placements gaining a broad experience of the dockyard. I found this period very beneficial in terms of gaining experience of many working environments and projects as well as understanding how DML functions and how areas interact. DML sponsored me on a part time Masters course and I graduated in 2005 with an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Following the initial two years I have worked in the Business Improvement area of DML focusing on supply chain issues and opportunities. As part of this role I have worked with material managers from each business unit to develop inventory policies aimed at improving the availability of material to the business. I have recently moved to a new role as a Business Analyst within Logistics where I am again involved in business improvement but in a more hands on role.

I moved to Plymouth on joining DML and found that the Graduate Training Scheme provided a great group of friends to get to know the city with.

Collwyn Griffiths
Boat Manager - HMS Tireless

I studied Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff University and then I went on to achieve Chartered Status and Membership of IMechE this summer. The main reason I was drawn to DML is because the dockyard is a virtual playground for any engineer, with everything from nuclear submarines and ships, to yachts and a factory. I liked the idea that you can simply change direction and try something completely different without leaving the company.

You get a good understanding of the company, mentor support for earning charted status and a solid foundation of skills and experience for the future. Whereas with other companies your starting salary might be what you earn for the next few years, at DML, with regular appraisals and payment reviews, you get a good idea of how hard work and continued development can increase your earning potential.

I started the graduate training scheme 4 years ago. I particularly found the mentor scheme helpful, as it gave me a lot of support and advice throughout my training. They also provided a full range of 'soft' skills and technical courses that I wasn't exposed to at Uni.

I worked in the diesel section for a few months, and then I worked as a production controller on the mechanical decommissioning of a nuclear submarine. After that I had a secondment with the Ministry of Defence, working on the business processes and communications of a logistics supply contract in Abbey Wood. Currently, I'm a Support Manager, responsible for the maintenance and capability upgrade of T Class Submarines. Delivering projects within tight time, cost and quality frameworks, I also get to learn about boat systems, have a significant measure of financial responsibility and manage my own team. It's a challenging job, but it's just as rewarding.

It's a great life. The first few years I lived near the sea on Plymouth Hoe and now I live in a small country village in Cornwall. It's 30 minutes to work, close to the moors for walking, with beautiful beaches and small pubs that are perfect for sitting down and relaxing with a nice pint.

Cheryl Oliver-Johns
Project Manager - Combat Systems Group

I studied Communications Engineering at Plymouth University from 2000 - 2003. I actually worked at DML before attending university as a Trainee Design Engineer in the Submarine Drawing Office. In fact I received sponsorship from DML to do the course.

Upon graduating I joined DML's Graduate Training Scheme. My first impressions were that it was very structured and well supported by both managers and mentors. First of all I did my core placements. Then I decided to try some longer ones. The first of these was a design placement with the Yachts business. The second was within Naval Support Business Development, where I helped with bids and dealt with client contacts at the Ministry of Defence. I also worked in submarine maintenance for a while assisting the Production Manager in monitoring various projects and managing the installation of equipment into submarines from a production point of view.

I enjoyed the scheme particularly because it was very flexible and allowed you to identify your area of interest - and then go for it! The initial stage is really useful, as you need to obtain a broad overview of the business as a whole, before you're able to decide what area to specialise in.

I'm now a Project Manager in the Combat Systems Group. This role was a steep learning curve initially but offers great responsibility with a high level of client contact. And I'm still ambitious. Which is why I like the fact that you can constantly plan ahead in your career here. I now aspire to develop further within the Combat Systems and Business Development Group.

What's more, on top of a great career - there's the fantastic location. I love boating, regularly go cycling on Dartmoor and enjoy visiting historical Cornwall. And as Plymouth is a city undergoing massive modernisation - the future looks set to be even better!

Stuart Woodger
Naval Architect

I had a great time with the graduate scheme and I got involved in some really interesting placements. One of them involved the sinking of HMS Scylla. The ship was a decommissioned ex-Royal Navy frigate and was scuppered to form an artificial reef. I acted as the Naval Architect, doing complicated stability calculations, and assisting the Project Managers with a rigorous cleaning scheme to ensure that the frigate wouldn't pollute its new environment.

Other placements I got involved with included:
– Writing the inclining procedure for a Super Yacht
– Working with the first line manager in a submarine refitting project

For the past 18 months I've been a Naval Architect/Weight Engineer working in the Superyacht business division. Ever since I completed the initial training scheme at DML, this is the area I've wanted to work in. Everyday I have a range of tasks that include predicting the final lightship weight of the vessel and centre of gravity, verifying whether we pass stability tests and planning fuel usage and schedules for the sea-trial period.

On a more personal note, living in Plymouth is great, being so close to the sea and moors. The opportunities to do activities in the evening are vast, creating an excellent standard of living. I live 10 minutes from the sea where I go sailing and 20 minutes from Dartmoor where I take walks and go mountain biking. And, the social scene in Plymouth is good, with other members of the Grad Scheme and colleagues to socialise with.