At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop project schedules for defence and engineering programmes that safeguard national security.
- Company: Join a leading organisation committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health checks, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Clear career progression opportunities from Planner to Discipline Lead.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical projects while enjoying hybrid working flexibility.
- Qualifications: Experience in project planning and proficiency in relevant software.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
We are hiring experienced Project Planners at all levels, from early career professionals through to Principal Project Planners. You will play a vital role in delivering complex defence and engineering programmes that help safeguard national security, work that protects people, communities and critical infrastructure every day.
The role:
As an experienced Project Planner, you will enable the successful delivery of complex programmes across defence, aerospace and engineering. Your work will bring structure, insight and control to projects that matter, supporting teams to make informed decisions, manage risk and deliver with confidence.
As a Project Planner you will:
- Develop, own and maintain integrated project schedules, including baselines, scenario planning and performance measurement.
- Apply Earned Value and schedule performance techniques to provide insight, challenge delivery assumptions and support informed decision making.
- Support effective project governance through accurate reporting, change control and schedule assurance.
As a Senior Project Planner you will:
- Develop and lead the creation of fully integrated project schedules that drive effective delivery.
- Analyse performance, including scenario planning, baseline variations and earned value metrics.
- Maintain governance artefacts, ensuring schedules align with project management and schedule management plans.
As a Principal Planner you will:
- Collaborate with Control Account Managers, project controllers, and senior stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain robust integrated project schedules.
- Champion project outcomes and mentor junior planners.
- Embed governance and assurance into schedule management.
- Drive performance measurement and delivery focus across programmes.
This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days onsite and days working from home.
Essential experience:
- Experience in a project planning environment.
- Proficiency in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
- Strong analytical and communication skills.
- Stakeholder engagement experience.
- Good organisational skills.
Qualifications:
We value difference and do not have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and/or willingness to learn.
We offer clear and varied career pathways within Mission Systems and the wider organisation for experienced Project Planners, with opportunities to progress from Planner to Senior Planner, Principal Planner, and ultimately Discipline Lead, supporting long term career development and professional growth.
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. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions.
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 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 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.
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 with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement. We are committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone is free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 18/05/2026
Planner/ Senior Planner/ Principal Planner in Bristol employer: Babcock International
At our Ashton Vale, Bristol location, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and clear pathways for career progression, we empower our Project Planners to grow from early career stages to senior leadership roles while contributing to vital defence and engineering programmes that safeguard national security. Our hybrid working arrangements and commitment to employee well-being, including initiatives like Be Kind Day for volunteering, make us a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planner/ Senior Planner/ Principal Planner in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 its projects. Show us that you understand their mission and how your skills as a Project Planner can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience with project planning tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. We want to hear how you've used these to drive successful outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to important projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Planner/ Senior Planner/ Principal Planner in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planner role. Highlight your experience in project planning, especially with tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of analysis and performance measurement, don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of how you've used these skills in past projects. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and made informed decisions!
Engage with Stakeholders:Stakeholder engagement is key in this role. Share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others, managed expectations, or communicated complex information clearly. This will show us you can thrive in our team environment!
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 about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you're well-versed in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. Brush up on how to create and maintain integrated project schedules, as this will likely come up during your interview. Being able to discuss specific features or techniques you've used will show your expertise.
✨Understand the Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Project Planner, Senior Planner, and Principal Planner. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these roles, especially in areas like scenario planning and performance measurement. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but you understand its importance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to analyse performance or handle hypothetical project challenges. Think of examples from your past where you successfully managed risks or made informed decisions. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think on your feet.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder engagement is key, prepare to talk about your experience in this area. Have examples ready that showcase your communication skills and how you've collaborated with different teams. This will highlight your ability to work effectively within a project environment.
