Head of Nuclear Operations

Head of Nuclear Operations

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Babcock International

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the safe delivery of a significant nuclear programme and manage operations teams.
  • Company: Join a leading engineering firm with a commitment to safety and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, and health consultations.
  • Other info: Flexible working options and a culture that values inclusivity and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in nuclear operations while ensuring safety and compliance.
  • Qualifications: Experience in operational leadership within complex engineering or regulated environments required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.

Location: Rosyth, Fife + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Lead the safe delivery of a nationally significant nuclear programme. As Head of Nuclear Operations, you will lead the delivery of critical operations within the Submarine Dismantling Programme. You will take ownership of safe, compliant, and efficient execution – ensuring projects are delivered to time, cost, and quality expectations.

Responsibilities:

  • Leading production and operations teams to deliver nuclear dismantling activities safely and efficiently.
  • Driving a proactive safety‑first culture, ensuring full compliance with health, safety, and nuclear regulations.
  • Managing the execution of submarine dismantling and maintenance of laid‑up vessels.
  • Overseeing operational performance, ensuring delivery against programme milestones, budgets, and quality standards.
  • Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to continuously improve operational processes.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week and is based at Rosyth and provides hybrid working arrangements.

Essential experience:

  • Demonstrable experience in operational or production leadership within complex engineering or regulated environments.
  • Strong understanding of nuclear safety, radiological protection, and nuclear management systems.
  • Experience delivering large‑scale engineering or infrastructure projects.
  • Knowledge of project controls, budgeting, and commercial frameworks.
  • Familiarity with high‑hazard environments such as defence, marine, or nuclear sectors.

Qualifications:

  • HNC, degree, or equivalent experience in an engineering or related 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.

EEO and Accessibility:

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 careers@babcockinternational.com 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: 04/06/2026

Head of Nuclear Operations employer: Babcock International

At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and compliance in the nuclear sector. Our employees benefit from competitive compensation, generous holiday allowances, and unique initiatives like 'Be Kind Day' for volunteering, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements in the picturesque location of Rosyth, Fife. We are committed to fostering employee growth through continuous improvement and professional development opportunities, making us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Babcock International

Contact Detail:

Babcock International Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Nuclear Operations

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the nuclear and engineering sectors on LinkedIn. A friendly message can go a long way, and you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Knowing the ins and outs of the Submarine Dismantling Programme will show you're genuinely interested and ready to lead!

Tip Number 3

Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've driven safety-first cultures and managed complex operations. We want to hear about your successes and how you tackled challenges.

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 our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Nuclear Operations

Operational Leadership
Nuclear Safety
Radiological Protection
Nuclear Management Systems
Project Delivery
Engineering Project Management
Budget Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Nuclear Operations role. Highlight your experience in operational leadership and any relevant projects you've managed, especially in complex engineering or regulated environments.

Showcase Safety First:Since safety is a top priority in this role, emphasise your understanding of nuclear safety and compliance. Share specific examples where you’ve driven a safety-first culture in your previous roles.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points for key achievements and responsibilities to make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.

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. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International

Know Your Nuclear Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of nuclear safety, radiological protection, and management systems. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the industry but also passionate about it.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples from your past experiences where you led teams in complex engineering or regulated environments. Highlight how you drove a safety-first culture and ensured compliance with regulations, as this is crucial for the role.

Understand Project Management

Familiarise yourself with project controls, budgeting, and commercial frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully delivered large-scale projects on time and within budget, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage the submarine dismantling programme effectively.

Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you’ve collaborated with internal and external stakeholders in the past. Prepare to share specific instances where you improved operational processes through teamwork, as this will be key in your new role.