At a Glance
- Tasks: Create accurate cost estimates for major naval engineering projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence engineering with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a pension scheme, health support, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of naval engineering while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Background in electrical engineering and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 39607 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon (Hybrid working arrangements)
Compensation: £33,900 to £39,607 dependent upon experience + benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Power the Future of Naval Engineering Through Expert Cost Insight
At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Functional Estimator at our Plymouth, Devon site.
As a Functional Estimator, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You’ll play a vital role in shaping the success of major warship support programmes by producing accurate, high‑quality labour and material cost estimates. Your work will directly influence project planning, commercial decisions, and programme delivery across the Warship Support business. This is an exciting opportunity to build your career within defence engineering—developing your technical capabilities while working on complex projects that demand precision, collaboration, and innovation.
Day‑to‑day responsibilities:
- Interpret electrical engineering specifications and technical drawings to develop accurate cost estimates.
- Produce detailed labour and material estimates for competitive bids and ongoing programmes.
- Collaborate with engineering, commercial, and project teams to validate and refine costing assumptions.
- Conduct site and ship visits to clarify client requirements and inform estimates.
- Support senior estimators with cost analysis and input into future upgrade and feasibility proposals.
This is a full‑time role working 35 hours per week based at Devonport Royal Dockyard. Hybrid working patterns are available, and you will be working a minimum of one day a week onsite.
Essential Experience:
- Demonstrable background in electrical engineering with the ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.
- Strong communication skills and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience working collaboratively within a team environment.
- Analytical approach to problem‑solving and attention to detail.
- A proactive mindset with a desire to learn, develop, and progress.
Qualifications:
- A recognised trade‑based apprenticeship or equivalent qualification/experience in an engineering or estimating discipline.
- Relevant engineering certifications or further qualifications would be advantageous.
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
Benefits:
- 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 shopping savings portal.
- Payment of professional fees.
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10 days special paid leave.
- Holiday Trading allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their entitlement between February and March annually.
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave per year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity.
Closing date: 17/06/2026
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
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.
Functional Estimator in Plymouth employer: Babcock International Group
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Plymouth, Devon, where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Functional Estimator, you will benefit from hybrid working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to your professional growth through training and development opportunities. Our inclusive culture fosters diversity and supports employee well-being, making Babcock a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in naval engineering.
Contact Details:
Babcock International Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Functional Estimator in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects. Tailor your responses to show how your skills as a Functional Estimator can directly benefit their operations. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to refine your answers and get comfortable discussing your experience. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Functional Estimator in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your background in electrical engineering and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Functional Estimator role and how your skills align with our needs. Keep it concise but engaging—show us your personality!
Showcase Your Team Spirit:Collaboration is key in this role, so don’t forget to mention your experience working in teams. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse stakeholders and contributed to group projects. We love a good team player!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Functional Estimator, you'll need to be comfortable with numbers and cost estimates. Brush up on your understanding of electrical engineering specifications and technical drawings before the interview. Being able to discuss how you interpret these documents will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively within a team. Think about specific projects where you engaged with diverse stakeholders and how you contributed to achieving common goals. This will highlight your strong communication skills.
✨Be Proactive and Analytical
Demonstrate your analytical approach to problem-solving by discussing past experiences where you identified issues and proposed solutions. Prepare to talk about how you validate and refine costing assumptions, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a proactive mindset.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the company. Inquire about the types of projects you might work on or how the team collaborates on complex estimates. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
