Dylon Ho
Livingston,West Lothian
Summary
Marine Engineering professional with expertise in nuclear, electrical and propulsion systems within the Royal Navy Submarine Service. Experienced CAT C and CAT B Nuclear Watchkeeper with hands-on capability in fault diagnosis, system recovery and first-line maintenance on NSRP and electrical generation and distribution systems. Currently Section Manager for Electrical Ship Systems, leading engineering delivery, safety management, isolations and documentation control through a major deep refit project. Strong technical judgement, disciplined engineering standards and a commitment to developing capable, safe and professional engineers.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Section Manager of Electrical Ship's System
Royal Navy
HMS Victorious SSBN
01.2024 - Current
- I lead the Electrical Ship Systems section through the submarine’s multi-year transition from operational service into deep refit, providing engineering governance, technical leadership and safety management.
- I manage system isolations, safety boundaries, environmental controls and procedural compliance during intrusive electrical work and complex refit activity.
- I coordinate daily with Babcock, SDA, Rolls-Royce and multiple shipyard departments to align work packages, resolve technical issues and maintain safe system integration.
- I oversee the removal, logging, preservation and controlled storage of electrical equipment and tooling for refurbishment and regeneration.
- I direct system release, testing and assurance activities, representing the electrical section in multi-disciplinary test groups and contributing to engineering decisions and risk assessments.
- I control documentation for my section, validating work packages, maintaining technical records and ensuring compliance with nuclear and engineering management system requirements.
- I allocate resources, prioritise work and manage workload planning to support project milestones and ensure safe, effective engineering delivery.
- I train, mentor and develop junior engineers and watchkeepers, improving competence, confidence and safety awareness across the team.
- I ensure the successful adoption and correct use of the maintenance management system, verifying competence and embedding accurate data recording practices.
- I promote professional development by arranging external technical engagement with industry partners and supporting career progression.
- I uphold engineering standards, verify work quality and ensure safe working practices across the section during high-tempo and intrusive maintenance periods.
Main Control Desk Operator
Royal Navy
HMS Victorious SSBN
11.2022 - 01.2024
- I safely operated and controlled the submarine’s primary mechanical and electrical systems, including direct manipulation of reactor control rods and main engine throttles.
- I continuously monitored nuclear plant parameters and acted immediately to prevent transients from breaching safety justifications.
- I conducted reactor pre-start and pre-critical checks, verifying the status of instruments, controls and safety mechanisms prior to plant start-up.
- I managed plant parameters by regulating reactivity, steam production, water inventories, temperatures, pressures and flow rates.
- I performed diagnostic assessment and first-line maintenance on the Nuclear Steam Raising Plant (NSRP), identifying abnormal trends and supporting safe defect recovery.
- I adhered to strict nuclear operating procedures during normal, abnormal, shutdown and critical plant conditions, ensuring continuous compliance with NSMAs, TAGOUT and Permit-to-Work systems.
- I analysed engineering drawings, documentation and schematics to support system understanding, troubleshooting and fault investigations.
- I provided real-time technical advice to naval officers, reporting plant status, emerging faults and estimated recovery timelines.
- I identified and controlled hazards to minimise risk and maintain system safety during high-consequence operations.
- I assisted in maintenance, repairs and upgrades associated with the propulsion plant and supporting nuclear systems.
- I led engineering teams during high-profile defect rectification and produced concise technical reports for senior engineers.
- I supported the development of junior watchkeepers through on-the-job training and technical guidance.
Services Control Panel Operator
Royal Navy
HMS Victorious SSBN
12.2017 - 11.2022
- I monitored and controlled the electrical and propulsion services panels when the reactor was critical, making rapid, safe decisions based on changing plant parameters.
- I supervised the Nuclear Steam Raising Plant (NSRP) during shutdown periods, adhering to strict nuclear safety rules and standard operating procedures.
- I conducted first-line maintenance and defect recovery on electrical generation and distribution systems, ensuring system availability during high-tempo operations.
- I diagnosed and rectified high-profile electrical defects using engineering drawings, schematics and technical documentation.
- I regenerated the onboard vibration analysis capability, conducting trend analysis and identifying emerging defects across rotating machinery.
- I led small teams of engineering technicians during maintenance and defect rectification tasks.
- I controlled contractors onboard, enforcing safe working areas and nuclear documentation requirements during maintenance periods.
- I produced technical reports, defect reports and method statements for systems under my responsibility.
- I represented the Royal Navy’s Marine Engineering Apprenticeship team at multiple national outreach events, including leading engineering roadshows and representing the apprenticeship programme at the House of Lords.
Education
Foundation Degree of Engineering - Marine Systems Engineering
Defence School of Marine Engineering
Portsmouth 02.2021 - 11.2022
Advanced Apprenticeship - Marine Systems Engineering
Defence School of Marine Engineering
Portsmouth 09.2018 - 10.2019
Certificate of Higher Education - Marine Science
Scottish Association For Marine Science
Oban, Argyll and Bute 09.2012 - 09.2013
Skills
- Complex system isolation
- Fault diagnosis
- Trend analysis
- Risk assessment
- Maintenance planning
- Defect prioritisation
- Team leadership and development
- Contractor oversight
- Technical briefing and communication
- Programme management
- Asset lifecycle control
- High-pressure decision-making
- Watchkeeping
- Process improvement
Accomplishments
IMarEST Academic Prize – Outstanding Academic Achievement, LETQC
Awarded for achieving top academic performance on the Leading Engineering Technician Qualifying Course.
IMarEST Academic Prize – Outstanding Academic Achievement, POETQC
Received again at Petty Officer level for attaining the highest academic results on the qualifying course.
Captain’s Prize – Best Trainee on Patrol
Recognised as the top-performing trainee during an operational deterrent patrol, demonstrating exceptional professionalism, engineering competence and performance under pressure.
Herbott Lott Award – Efficiency & Innovation (Forward ME Department)
Awarded to our section for delivering significant improvements in engineering efficiency and innovative approaches to system release and early refit activity.
Timeline
Section Manager of Electrical Ship's System
Royal Navy
01.2024 - Current
Main Control Desk Operator
Royal Navy
11.2022 - 01.2024
Foundation Degree of Engineering - Marine Systems Engineering
Defence School of Marine Engineering
02.2021 - 11.2022
Advanced Apprenticeship - Marine Systems Engineering
Defence School of Marine Engineering
09.2018 - 10.2019
Services Control Panel Operator
Royal Navy
12.2017 - 11.2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Marine Science
Scottish Association For Marine Science
09.2012 - 09.2013