Assistant Chief Engineer

Assistant Chief Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Babcock International

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a high-impact engineering team ensuring the UK's submarines are safe and operational.
  • Company: Babcock, a leader in submarine engineering with a commitment to safety and innovation.
  • Benefits: Generous holiday, matched pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible onsite work with excellent career growth and volunteering opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in national security while growing your engineering expertise.
  • Qualifications: Engineering degree and experience in submarine or systems engineering required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.

Location: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute

Compensation: Up to £70,000 Depending on Experience + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Shape the Future of Submarine Engineering

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 System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site.

The role

As a System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems, you'll have a unique opportunity to join a high impact engineering environment where you'll grow professionally, build specialist expertise, and contribute to work that truly matters. Day‑to‑day, you'll help safeguard the operational capability of the UK's most advanced Royal Navy submarines. Your work will span deep maintenance periods, ensuring every system meets the required safety, performance and availability standards.

  • Act on behalf of the Chief Engineer, providing technical oversight and guidance across Platform Systems.
  • Hold full technical delegations and serve as a key interface with Design and Technical Authorities.
  • Understand and uphold design intent from work package creation through execution, testing and acceptance.
  • Work closely with internal project teams and external MOD stakeholders, contributing to long‑term engineering solutions.
  • Participate in working groups to assess engineering change, address technical issues and support continuous improvement.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at HMNB Clyde Faslane. The successful candidate will be flexible to work onsite in line with business requirements, ranging from a minimum of three days per week up to full time onsite attendance.

Essential experience of the System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems

  • Demonstrable experience in submarine engineering.
  • Strong awareness of system engineering within mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines.
  • Practical experience conducting technical audits and navigating associated processes.
  • Strong communication skills, with experience engaging a range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience identifying, managing and prioritising technical risks and associated mitigations.

Qualifications for the System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems

  • Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Chartered Engineer status, or close to achieving it.
  • Additional technical qualifications or professional development related to naval, marine, systems or mechanical/electrical engineering – Desirable.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) 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 – allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their entitlement.
  • Be Kind Day – enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with a chosen organisation or registered charity.
  • Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Assistant Chief Engineer employer: Babcock International

Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at HMNB Clyde Faslane where you can contribute to the safety and security of the UK's advanced Royal Navy submarines. With a strong focus on professional development, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, and unique initiatives like 'Be Kind Day' for volunteering, Babcock fosters a supportive culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and growth.
Babcock International

Contact Detail:

Babcock International Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Chief Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Babcock on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge related to propulsion and platform systems. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your experience in submarine engineering.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your passion for the role! During interviews, let your enthusiasm for submarine engineering shine through. Talk about why you want to work at Babcock and how you can contribute to their mission.

✨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 team at Babcock.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chief Engineer

Submarine Engineering
System Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Technical Audits
Stakeholder Engagement
Risk Management
Technical Oversight
Project Collaboration
Continuous Improvement
Engineering Change Assessment
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Chartered Engineer Status

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Chief Engineer role. Highlight your submarine engineering experience and any relevant technical qualifications. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about submarine engineering and how you can contribute to our mission at Babcock. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, make sure to demonstrate your ability to engage with various stakeholders in your application. Whether it's through examples in your CV or your cover letter, let us know how you’ve successfully navigated technical discussions.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your submarine engineering knowledge, especially around propulsion and platform systems. Familiarise yourself with the latest technologies and practices in the field, as well as any recent projects Babcock has been involved in.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Assistant Chief Engineer position. Highlight specific examples where you've conducted technical audits or managed risks, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Communicate Clearly

Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex engineering concepts. Be ready to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role and the company. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand how you can contribute to Babcock's mission. Consider asking about their approach to continuous improvement or how they handle engineering changes.

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