Principal Rigger

Salary (Grade 7): £48,185 - £54,185 per annum (dependent upon experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week - Permanent

Location: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Linking Navy to Nation with inspiring stories and experiences. Here you can come aboard the most famous ships, planes, and submarines of the Royal Navy and experience them through the stories of the people who served on them. As well as being truly captivated by the thousands of unique, emotional, and sometimes quirky stories that have shaped the Royal Navy into what it proudly stands for today.

You are pivotal in us achieving our vision, and to support this we embrace diversity and want everyone to feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

We are looking for a Principal Rigger to lead a team of Lead Riggers and Riggers in the maintenance and upkeep of our historic ship rigs. They will oversee the planning and execution of programmes of work on HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and HMS M33 in Portsmouth, as well as HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool and HMS Caroline in Belfast.

The Principal Rigger works collaboratively with colleagues across the Conservation Team and HMS Victory: The Big Repair project team, to uphold the highest standards of conservation in all our work. They lead the design, reinstatement and ongoing care of HMS Victory's rigging as part of the current conservation programme, including commissioning, procuring and managing specialist contractor support where required.

The role also involves working closely with colleagues in the Collections and Visitor Experience teams, offering rigging advice, guidance and practical assistance as appropriate to support both the care of the ship and the experience of those who engage with it.

• Managing safe work procedures and programmes is a key element of this role, and the successful candidate will be an experienced leader in the field of traditional rigging and rope access.
• A professional qualification, IRATA level 3 preferred, with knowledge of LOLER and H&S legislation and requirements.
• Demonstrable experience of leading rigging works aloft, tradition rigging and rope access work.
• Confidence managing a team of riggers.
• Specialist knowledge of maintaining masts, yards and rigging of historic ships. Experience of working at height.
• Knowledge of best practice approaches to conservation of historic ships, within static contexts.
• A positive attitude and passion for communicating the principles of conservation to different audiences.

• The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
• Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
• 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years' service, pro rata for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
• Discounts at our shops and cafes.
• Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
• A range of other benefits including cycle to work.
• Paid reservist leave.

We want you to succeed and showcase your skills and experiences, so if you are invited to interview, we will share our interview questions with you ahead of time. If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, please contact Stuart Sheldon, Lead Rigger, on email

All applicants are asked to apply via by midnight on 29th March 2026. We may look to interview throughout the period of the advert being live, if not the selection processes will be held on site in Portsmouth shortly after the closing date.

This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on a naval base.

This role has the opportunity for VISA sponsored.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team on for support.

Occupational pension, Sick pay, Annual leave, Flexible working, Family friendly policies, Staff discounts, EAP

National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth