At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead systems engineering for innovative modular reactor projects that shape the future of energy.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a key player in clean energy and national security.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity and well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's energy resilience while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in systems engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible, UK
Compensation: Attractive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape The Future of Clean, Secure Energy at The Heart of UK Nuclear Innovation
The UK’s small and advanced modular reactor sector is entering a pivotal phase, with major programmes progressing and strong government backing. Join us as a Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead at the centre of this momentum and build your career across the nuclear and defence sector.
The role
We’re seeking a Modular Reactor Systems Engineering Lead to join our Advanced Nuclear Technologies team, working in a fast‑moving, innovation‑led environment with real national impact. You’ll help shape the next generation of nuclear power through cutting‑edge design, accelerated deployment and projects that strengthen the UK’s long‑term energy resilience. If you want your work to matter at scale, this is the role for you. This is a full‑time role working 37 hours per week. The role is based flexibly across our UK locations, with ad hoc travel to the North West, including Warrington and Manchester, as required. Hybrid working patterns are available, balancing flexibility with the needs of a highly collaborative engineering programme.
Day‑to‑day responsibilities:
- Leading systems engineering activities across complex modular reactor and nuclear design programmes
- Providing technical leadership and decision‑making authority across the full engineering lifecycle
- Delivering and assuring high‑quality designs, analyses, calculations and technical documentation
- Leading engineering assurance activities including validation, verification and technical reviews
- Coaching and mentoring engineers while working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
Essential experience:
- Extensive experience across the full systems engineering lifecycle
- Proven ability to lead, influence and make sound technical decisions in complex environments
- Experience delivering engineering assurance, validation and verification activities
- Background working in highly regulated industries
- Experience engaging with multiple stakeholders across interdisciplinary engineering teams
Qualifications:
- Chartered Engineer status, or working towards this, or equivalent experience
- Degree‑level qualification in engineering or a relevant technical discipline
- Strong practical knowledge of systems engineering principles
- Experience leading technical reviews and assurance activities
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role.
What We Offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Cavendish
We’re Cavendish Nuclear — a team of c5,000 specialists and a core part of Babcock International Group. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. Across clean energy, defence, and civil decommissioning, your work will contribute to projects that are critical to energy security and national protection. Together, we’re shaping a future that lasts — not only through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work‑life balance. Join us and discover how far we can go, together.
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 15/06/2026
Systems Engineering Lead in Bristol employer: Babcock International Group
Cavendish Nuclear is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the forefront of UK nuclear innovation. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme and flexible working options, we foster a culture that values collaboration and work-life balance. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the clean energy sector while enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Contact Details:
Babcock International Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineering Lead in Bristol
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Systems Engineering Lead role you’re after at Babcock International Group.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Babcock International Group a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Babcock International Group.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Systems Engineering Lead at Babcock International Group, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineering Lead in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Systems Engineering Lead, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Babcock International Group a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Babcock International Group specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Babcock International Group, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Babcock International Group want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
