Marine Structures Graduate Programme

Salary: Minimum £35,000. Salary is dependent on location, role and qualifications.

Location: Babcock Technology Centre, Bristol

Application closing date: 16 October 2025

Programme start date: September 2026

Role ID: 66893

What will you do on the programme? If you’re excited by large-scale engineering, world-leading naval technology and solving real-world problems, you’ll find plenty to get involved in here. Our Marine Structures Graduate Programme offers the opportunity to work across some of the most complex structural engineering projects in the defence sector – from supporting the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, to exploring future submarine concepts, and delivering advanced marine platforms. Throughout the programme, you’ll be part of multidisciplinary teams contributing to live projects that support the Royal Navy and other international customers. That might include performing structural assessments using hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis or designing platform structures for explosive shock survivability. You could be working on technical investigations, safety certifications, feasibility studies or platform surveys. This is meaningful work that touches every stage of a platform’s lifecycle. You’ll develop practical skills using software like Ansys and AutoCAD, gain exposure to pressure hull theory and engineering standards, and build a solid foundation in structural design and analysis. Whether you’re supporting submarine decommissioning, modernising small vessels or helping shape the future of unmanned marine technologies, you’ll be part of a team creating innovative, high-integrity solutions that help make the world a safer place.

How is the programme structured? This is a two-year programme designed to give you breadth, variety and meaningful experience across our Marine Structures teams. Through a series of rotational placements, you’ll explore different aspects of structural engineering in a real-world defence environment. Each placement is carefully planned to give you valuable experience in live projects and build your understanding of structural design, safety, analysis and lifecycle management. During the programme, you may have the opportunity to complete placements in different locations. This not only broadens your technical experience but also helps you build your professional network and gain a deeper understanding of how our business operates across sites.

How do we develop and support you? From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond. You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing. To support your journey toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, we offer full guidance and cover all associated fees.

What rewards and benefits will you get? We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too. In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with agile working options subject to discussion with your manager
• Generous pension and employee share schemes
• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.
• You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.

What do you need to apply? A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or Mathematics. Many of our graduate 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.

Where will you be based? Places on our Marine Structures programme for Autumn 2026 are available in Bristol. Our business in Bristol is a key strategic partner to our customers — the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Royal Navy. We ensure that the UK Royal Navy goes to sea safely by sustaining the submarines with updates, design and documentation, upgrades and overhauls. We are developing innovative Operations Centres, technology insertion programmes, predictive data analytics and visualisation and training aids using games engine technologies. Your home base will be the Babcock Technology Centre in Bristol, where you’ll be part of a team working on everything from cutting-edge naval projects to innovative commercial vessels and advanced maritime platforms. While you’ll join a specific business area and location, placements at different sites across the UK are possible. Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on-site multiple times a week. We encourage flexibility and openness to relocation throughout the programme and will consider your personal circumstances when arranging placements.

Ready to apply? 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.