At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a skilled team working on real-world engineering projects for the Royal Navy.
- Company: Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Fully funded degree, competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience and professional recognition as you progress.
- Why this job: Kickstart your engineering career while making a real impact in defence.
- Qualifications: 96 UCAS points, including Maths and a science or technology subject.
The predicted salary is between 18819 - 32261 £ per year.
Job Description
Level: SCQF Level 10
Salary:
Year 1: £18,819
Year 2: £22,857
Year 3: £26,884
Year 4: £32,261
Location: Rosyth, Scotland
Application closing date: 18th December 2025
Programme start date: September 2026
Role ID: 68199
About the programme
Our 4-year Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeshipis your opportunity to start an engineering career with purpose. You'll contribute to some of the UK's most important defence programmes while working towards a BEng (Hons) degree and building a rewarding career in commissioning engineering.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a skilled team working on real-world projects, including the Royal Navy's Type 31 frigates and the maintenance of Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. You'll specialise in either Power Engineering or Control and Instrumentation, supporting commissioning and performance testing activities across electrical and control systems.
Day-to-day, you'll be involved in a wide variety of work – from troubleshooting faults and analysing data to integrating systems and contributing to test schedules. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you'll learn how to apply commissioning procedures safely and effectively while developing key engineering behaviours like adaptability, attention to detail and professionalism.
This apprenticeship will allow you to build your knowledge of marine engineering fundamentals, health and safety practices, and industry standards. You'll also gain experience with technical tools and software while collaborating with expert engineers who are passionate about your development.
Your education/training
As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for the BEng (Hons) Engineering (Design and Manufacture) through Glasgow Caledonian University.
You'll attend university through blended learning, typically 1-2 days per week during term time. Over the four years, you'll follow a specialist stream in either Control and Instrumentation or Electrical Power Engineering Design, aligned with your role and career goals.
The course is co-designed with industry and accredited by the IET, IMechE and InstMC, giving you a strong foundation for professional recognition.
Future prospects
By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have the skills needed to step into a Commissioning Engineer role at Babcock, with a competitive starting salary of over £45,000.
You'll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.
As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we've introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you'll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.
What you'll need
- UCAS Tariff: 96 points.
- Scottish Highers: BBCC or equivalent, including Maths and a science or technology subject.
- We also accept:
- Relevant Foundation Apprenticeships (counting as one Higher at grade B), in combination with SQA Highers.
- Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 in a related subject (equivalent to two Highers at B), in combination with SQA Highers.
- HNC in Electrical, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering.
- Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
What you'll get
We'll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.
In addition, you'll benefit from:
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal
You'll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.
Your career development
It's hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you'll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you'll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Application process and closing dates
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.
Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Commissioning Engineering employer: Babcock International
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Commissioning Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current apprentices or employees at Babcock on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for you. This can give you insider knowledge and make your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Since this is an engineering role, be ready to discuss relevant projects or coursework. We want to see your passion for engineering and how you can contribute to the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, be prepared to tackle hypothetical scenarios or case studies. Think out loud and demonstrate your thought process; it’s all about how you approach challenges in engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the programme and what we’re looking for in candidates right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Commissioning Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passions and interests related to engineering.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for this specific apprenticeship. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with commissioning engineering and the projects we work on at Babcock.
Show Your Enthusiasm: Express your excitement about the opportunity! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in marine engineering and eager to contribute to our important defence programmes.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute! We review applications on a rolling basis, so applying early gives you a better chance of standing out. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Engineering Basics
Brush up on your engineering fundamentals, especially in areas like Control and Instrumentation or Electrical Power Engineering. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to real-world scenarios, particularly in commissioning engineering.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled technical challenges in the past. Whether it's troubleshooting faults or analysing data, demonstrating your analytical thinking will impress interviewers and show you're ready for hands-on work.
✨Understand the Company and Its Projects
Research Babcock and its involvement in significant defence programmes, like the Type 31 frigates. Being knowledgeable about their projects will not only help you answer questions but also allow you to ask insightful ones, showing your genuine interest.
✨Exhibit Professionalism and Adaptability
During the interview, highlight your ability to adapt and maintain professionalism in a multidisciplinary team. Share experiences where you've had to adjust to new situations or collaborate with diverse groups, as these traits are crucial in engineering roles.