At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement mechanical handling systems for submarine defueling projects.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and engineering, shaping national security.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in nuclear engineering while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in regulated industries required.
The predicted salary is between 44600 - 55800 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Compensation: £44,600 - £55,800 + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Help shape the future of nuclear engineering and national security. 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 Senior Mechanical Handling Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role:
As a Senior Mechanical Handling Engineer, you'll have an exciting opportunity to join the Submarine Defuel Delivery Project (SDDP), a major programme supporting critical national infrastructure. Working as part of a highly skilled engineering team, you'll contribute to the design, development and implementation of specialist mechanical handling and defuel tooling systems that support the safe defueling of submarines. Your expertise will help deliver complex engineering solutions that make a real difference, while offering excellent opportunities for career development within one of the UK's leading defence, aerospace and engineering organisations.
Day-to-day, you'll support the delivery of innovative engineering solutions within a technically challenging and rewarding environment. Working closely with the Design Manager and wider project teams, you'll be responsible for delivering mechanical handling and lifting equipment design activities, ensuring solutions meet the highest standards of safety, quality and performance.
- Deliver mechanical handling and defuel tooling engineering activities to agreed scope, schedule, cost and quality requirements.
- Update technical documentation and design records from detailed design through to as-built status.
- Ensure compliance with quality management processes, engineering standards and Babcock's Business Management System.
- Support configuration management, quality control activities and the maintenance of accurate project documentation.
- Promote safe working practices by identifying hazards, supporting risk assessments and communicating engineering risks effectively.
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
Essential experience:
- Experience designing mechanical handling systems and lifting equipment, ideally within highly regulated industries such as nuclear, defence or energy.
- Experience producing and supporting engineering design justifications.
- Demonstrable experience in technical design development and engineering problem-solving.
- Strong understanding of engineering design principles, safety requirements and quality standards.
- Working knowledge of relevant engineering software and computer-based engineering applications.
Qualifications:
- Degree, or equivalent qualification, in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- Working towards Chartered Engineer status - Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate professional engineering institution - 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. 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.
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 (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.
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'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: 20/07/2026
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Handling Engineer in Devon
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Babcock International.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Babcock International love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Babcock International and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Handling Engineer in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Babcock International and the Senior Mechanical Handling Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Babcock International.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Babcock International.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Babcock International, making you a more appealing candidate.
