At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commissioning activities for submarine combat systems, ensuring safe and effective delivery.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering and national security.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with flexible working options and commitment to employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape the future of submarine operations while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree or equivalent experience in complex engineering environments.
The predicted salary is between 57300 - 71600 £ per year.
Provides team management and leadership to deliver engineering activities to required technical scope and quality for low complexity engineering multi-discipline projects or a single medium complexity engineering project. Ensures the application of engineering processes, resources and tools in line with Babcock policy to achieve the project or program technical outcomes.
As a Project Commissioning Manager, you’ll take ownership of commissioning activities for submarine combat systems, ensuring safe, effective delivery of testing, trials and operational readiness for Vanguard Class submarines. This is a senior leadership role within the Commissioning Group, where your expertise will directly support the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent. Day-to-day, you’ll manage complex programmes across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring commissioning activities are delivered safely, on time and within budget. This role offers the opportunity to further develop your leadership capability while shaping the future of submarine operations in a highly regulated and mission-critical environment.
Responsibilities:
- Leading the planning, coordination and delivery of commissioning tests and trials for combat systems
- Managing technical issues, resources and schedules to ensure delivery to programme, budget and quality targets
- Overseeing the review and approval of test documentation and commissioning plans
- Providing leadership to commissioning teams and ensuring high standards of health and safety
- Collaborating with internal teams, Ministry of Defence stakeholders and external partners to support programme delivery
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
Essential Experience:
- Extensive knowledge of submarine systems, particularly combat systems and SSBN operations
- Experience in commissioning, operation or refitting of nuclear submarines
- Strong understanding of safe systems of work, isolation and control of work processes
- Proven leadership and management experience within complex engineering environments
- Strong planning, organisational and stakeholder management skills
Qualifications:
- Engineering degree or equivalent qualification (essential)
- Alternatively, HNC or Foundation Degree in engineering with substantial relevant experience (essential)
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) 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 Babcock 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 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.
Babcock is a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.
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: 11/06/2026
Project Commissioning Manager employer: Babcock International Group
Babcock is an exceptional employer located in Plymouth, Devon, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead critical engineering projects that support national security. With a strong focus on employee development, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme and health support, and a commitment to work-life balance, Babcock fosters a culture of inclusivity and growth. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team that values your contributions and encourages meaningful career progression.
Contact Details:
Babcock International Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Commissioning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Babcock or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Knowing the ins and outs of submarine combat systems will show you're genuinely interested and ready to take on the role of Project Commissioning Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in complex engineering environments. This is key for showcasing your fit for the senior leadership aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Babcock team.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Commissioning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Project Commissioning Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've managed, especially in complex engineering environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about submarine systems and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of safe systems of work!
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge:Since this role involves managing commissioning activities for combat systems, be sure to include specific examples of your experience with submarine systems and nuclear submarines. This will show us you know your stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group
✨Know Your Submarine Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of submarine combat systems and SSBN operations. Being able to discuss specific systems and their functionalities will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully led teams in complex engineering environments. Highlight how you managed resources, schedules, and technical issues to deliver projects on time and within budget.
✨Understand Safety Protocols
Familiarise yourself with safe systems of work and isolation processes. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented health and safety standards in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Project Commissioning Manager position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with various stakeholders in the past. Be prepared to share specific instances where your communication and organisational skills made a difference in project delivery, especially in a multidisciplinary team setting.
