Air Safety and Environmental Manager, Tom Amery, discusses his role at Defence Equipment & Support
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 31/08/2021
As an Air Safety and Environmental Manager, it’s Tom Amery’s job to ensure air systems are safe to fly and to reduce their impact on the environment. We spoke to him to find out more about his role at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), his career path and some of the exciting projects he’s supported.
Tell us about your career path. How did you find yourself working in safety engineering?
I was a very mechanically-minded child, fixing pushbikes and motorbikes in the garage for fun after school. This sparked my interest in an engineering career early on.
When I was 16, I spoke to a career advisor about a military career working on helicopters, which sounded like a fantastic opportunity. So, after leaving school, I joined the Royal Navy as an Aircraft Engineer, which I enjoyed a lot as it was such a niche and exciting role.
During my final years with the Royal Navy, I was deployed overseas, working alongside the US Marine Corps in Florida and South Carolina on the F35B Lightning II – an aircraft that was yet to enter service. When I resettled in the UK, I knew I wanted to experience a different aspect of the programme. That was when a friend sent me an advert for an engineering role at DE&S, which seemed like the perfect step to take. It was a great transition from military to civilian life.
I’ve been with DE&S for three and a half years; first as a Certification Engineer on unmanned air systems, and now as an Air Safety and Environmental Manager. I’ve found the experience exciting and see lots of opportunity to develop my career here.
What is your current role like?
As an Air Safety and Environmental Engineering Manager, I play a vital role in making sure air systems used by the UK’s Armed Forces are safe to commence flying, enter service, and meet the environmental standards placed upon them.
My department is the go-to place for advice and guidance on safety compliance, awareness and environmental issues. We support air platforms across the full lifecycle – from influencing the design and build of aircraft to the through-life support of a platform and safe decommissioning.
We not only look at the overall safety of an air system, but also at the materials we’re using. Certain materials are hazardous to the environment and the people using the aircraft, so we need to find alternatives. This means recommending environmentally friendly materials for new aircraft and looking into ways to properly dispose of older aircraft that once used these outdated materials.
The role is very varied, which keeps it exciting. I can be writing a strategy on how to get an aircraft into service one day and visiting a factory to review safety standards on a build the next. I can be providing guidance on the design of a platform, or out on an airfield reviewing potential safety occurrences on an in-service aircraft.
How does your role make a difference?
My role is essential in making sure the air systems operated by our Armed Forces are safe.
As such, building a safety-first culture with frontline command is a large part of the role. We want everyone to feel like they can raise safety concerns openly and confidently. We make a conscious effort to ensure everything is safe and practical for the people who use these aircraft, and being able to analyse these circumstances makes a huge difference.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on?
Getting my first platform into service was a massive day for me and the pinnacle of my DE&S career. It’s really inspiring to know that you got something signed off for flying.
The platform was called Watchkeeper, an unmanned air system which was the first of its kind. While unmanned air systems are usually piloted remotely by RAF pilots, Watchkeeper was the first to be operated using only a keyboard and mouse, by the Royal Artillery Gunners of the British Army. Seeing this technology in service was an extremely proud moment.
What are your career aspirations and how does DE&S support you?
My aspiration is to become a Delivery Team Chief Engineer. I like the idea of being in charge of an engineering project and seeing through the delivery of a platform, and I feel supported by DE&S to achieve my ambitions.
The opportunity to learn and develop your career is definitely one of the main benefits of working here. Since joining DE&S, they’ve fully funded my Master’s Degree in Military Aerospace & Airworthiness, as well as a professional registration as an Incorporated Engineer with the Institution of Engineering & Technology.
As well as having the support of my Line Manager, like everyone who works at DE&S, I also have an Assigned Function Development Officer who’s responsible for helping me with my learning and development throughout my career.
What are the best parts of working at DE&S?
Other than great training and career progression opportunities, I enjoy working at the Abbey Wood site, which has some great facilities including a gym. We also have brilliant charity events and open days each year.
It’s great to work in such a diverse environment. I work with people from all walks of life who bring with them differences in thought. This is vital in engineering as we need people who can think ‘outside the box’.
The other thing that appeals to me is the flexibility. You can achieve a great work-life balance as I am able to choose the hours I work, which means I can fit my triathlon training into my work week.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in your field?
Don’t be put off by the word ‘safety’. I think ‘airworthiness’ is more appropriate and it’s actually a really exciting role because you’re not stuck at a desk all day.
There are so many things going on at various stages of the life cycle, which is what keeps this job interesting. I enjoy being able to talk to the end customer and seeing our platforms in action.
DE&S Celebrates 25 years of MOD Abbey Wood
In July, DE&S celebrated the site’s 25th anniversary, which was officially opened on 19th July 1996 by HM Queen Elizabeth. From crocodiles in the lake to James Bond style rocket launchers in the atriums – there have been many weird and wonderful rumours about MoD Abbey Wood.
Although the reality is not as dramatic, the vital work that has taken place at the site for the last 25 years has ensured the UK’s security and prosperity.
Working with the biggest defence companies in the world and collaborating with our international allies from governments and the Armed Forces, the site has been a hive of activity.
The civil servants and military colleagues who have worked at the Filton site have provided our military with everything from boots to fighter jets over the years, and have continually innovated to ensure they maintain the edge on the battlefield.
Not only has the site been one of the region’s biggest employers, it’s also become a sanctuary for a range of wildlife including Canadian geese and bees.
Each year our staff at DE&S, the procurement arm of the MoD, still deliver a programme of work worth over £10 billion; delivering in excess of 80% of the MoD’s largest and most complex equipment projects and supporting more than 88,000 jobs.
When our Armed Forces are involved in conflict, as they have been in Iraq and Afghanistan, teams have worked under immense pressure to negotiate contracts for urgently needed equipment to the frontline.
DE&S CEO Sir Simon Bollom said:
“I’m incredibly proud of the diverse workforce at MoD Abbey Wood who are committed to supporting our Armed Forces.
“It’s a very exciting time in Defence and we’re enjoying the challenge of working with industry to innovate and deliver cutting-edge equipment at pace; staying one step ahead of our adversaries, while also delivering best value to the taxpayer.
“With so many interesting roles, opportunities and projects available, including apprentice and graduate programmes, I truly believe MoD Abbey Wood is one of the very best places to work in the region.”
It was a colossal task to build MoD Abbey Wood, with workers having to install 30,000 light fittings and 2,600 doors to 13 buildings including the unique croissant-shaped structures, within the 120,000 sqm site and within its 3km (1.86 mile) perimeter.
To avoid becoming a faceless base, a decision was taken to install a lake as protection rather than a high fence. Filled with 30 million litres of water, the lake also acts as flood defence and a haven for local wildlife including cormorants, newts and kingfishers.
Going forward, DE&S will play a key role in protecting the planet and are aiming to have net zero carbon emissions by 2040. To help achieve this we’ll embrace smart power usage, identify green energy solutions, offset the carbon footprint of our operations and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
We have on-going opportunities within Air Safety and Environmental Protection, as well as a wide range of other specialisms.
DE&S are proud to have an ongoing relationship with CTP; supporting Service leavers through their transition into civilian life. Plus, all of our Level 1-5 vacancies are advertised on the CTP’s online job portal, RightJob – so keep an an eye out for upcoming roles in September!
We also regularly attend CTP Virtual Employment events. So if you’re interested in discussing your next career step further, you can find us at the upcoming employment event on Thursday 30th September, 11.00 – 13.00.
Interested in learning more about DE&S? Read our employer profile here.