At a Glance
- Tasks: Produce accurate cost estimates for vital naval engineering projects.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's naval fleet while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in fabrication or welding with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 39607 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: £33,900 to £39,607 Dependent Upon Experience + Benefits
Role Type: 18 Month Fixed Term Contract
Shape the Future of Naval Engineering Through Precision and Insight
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 Functional Estimator at Plymouth, Devon our site.
The role
As a Functional Estimator, you'll have a role that's out of the ordinary. You'll play a critical role in supporting the delivery of vital naval programmes within our Warship Support business. You'll help bring complex engineering projects to life by producing accurate cost estimates that underpin major bids, through-life support, and future upgrades for Royal Navy vessels. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of defence engineering‑where your expertise directly supports the operational readiness of the UK's fleet. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, contribute to high-profile programmes, and develop your technical and commercial skills in a dynamic and purpose-driven environment.
Day‑to‑day, you'll be required to:
- Produce detailed labour and material cost estimates from engineering specifications and technical drawings
- Interpret work packages and collaborate with engineering teams to ensure accurate scope understanding
- Attend project meetings to support bid preparation and clarify requirements
- Engage with stakeholders across departments to validate assumptions and ensure estimate viability
- Support senior estimators with cost analysis and contributing to continuous improvement activities
This is a full‑time, 35 hours per week role based at Devonport Royal Dockyard. You will be working onsite a minimum of one day a week onsite.
Essential experience of the Functional Estimator
- Demonstrating experience in fabrication or welding, with the ability to interpret engineering specifications and drawings
- Applying strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to cost estimation and planning
- Communicating effectively and working collaboratively within a team environment
- Showing a proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop
- Managing workload flexibly to meet project deadlines
Qualifications for the Functional Estimator
- A recognised trade‑based apprenticeship or equivalent qualification/experience within an engineering or estimating discipline
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be 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 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
Babcock
We're Babcock - 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 call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.
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: 17/06/2026
Functional Estimator employer: Babcock International
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. Located in Plymouth, Devon, our Functional Estimator role provides the unique opportunity to contribute to vital naval engineering projects while enjoying generous benefits such as a matched pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, and dedicated volunteering days. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven team where your skills will directly support national security and public infrastructure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Functional Estimator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects. Tailor your responses to show how your skills as a Functional Estimator align with their needs. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Since this role involves analytical thinking, consider working through some estimation scenarios or case studies. This will help you shine during technical interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Functional Estimator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Functional Estimator role. Highlight your experience in fabrication or welding, and showcase your analytical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about naval engineering and how you can contribute to our projects. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Teamwork Skills:Since collaboration is key in this role, mention any experiences where you've worked effectively in a team. We value communication and teamwork, so let us know how you’ve thrived in group settings.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Functional Estimator, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to produce accurate cost estimates. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you interpret engineering specifications and technical drawings. Bring examples of past projects where your estimates made a significant impact.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, so show off your teamwork skills! Be ready to talk about how you've engaged with stakeholders in the past to validate assumptions and ensure estimate viability. Highlight any experiences where collaboration led to successful project outcomes.
✨Stay Flexible and Proactive
Babcock values a proactive attitude, especially when managing workloads to meet deadlines. Prepare to share instances where you've adapted to changing project requirements or taken the initiative to improve processes. This will showcase your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Security Clearance Savvy
Since this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, it’s wise to understand what that entails. Familiarise yourself with the security vetting process and be ready to discuss your eligibility. This shows you're serious about the role and aware of the responsibilities that come with it.
