At a Glance
- Tasks: Design cutting-edge mechanical systems for the UK's submarine fleet and support national defence.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering with a commitment to safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, matched pension scheme, health benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your engineering skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Level 6 qualification in mechanical engineering or Level 5 with relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 44600 - 55800 £ per year.
Help design the future of submarine infrastructure and national defence. 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 Design Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role involves delivering complex mechanical system designs that directly support the United Kingdom's submarine fleet. Your work will contribute to critical defence programmes with a clear, visible impact.
Day-to-day, you'll have the unique opportunity to be involved in the full engineering lifecycle—from concept design through to implementation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning. You'll lead technical activities, provide expert engineering guidance, and ensure compliance with rigorous safety and regulatory standards in a highly regulated environment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the development and delivery of mechanical designs across the full project lifecycle
- Managing and supporting engineers, coordinating work and driving technical progress
- Producing and reviewing design, safety and substantiation documentation
- Providing expert advice on mechanical systems, compliance, and engineering standards
- Conducting site visits, surveys and supporting through-life system performance
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with a minimum of 2 days in the office/onsite.
Essential experience:
- Strong mechanical engineering experience across design, operation or maintenance of fluid or pipework systems
- Applying the full engineering design lifecycle within complex projects
- Working within regulated industries such as defence, nuclear, utilities or similar
- Understanding fluid mechanics principles including water systems, valves and pipelines
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to deliver engineering solutions
Qualifications:
- Level 6 qualification in a mechanical engineering discipline, or Level 5 with significant relevant experience (essential)
- Professionally registered with a recognised engineering institution such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers or Institution of Engineering and Technology - 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.
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 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 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.
Babcock is 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.
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.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Hybrid (Defence) in Plymouth employer: Babcock International
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site where you can contribute to vital national defence projects as a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer. With generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements, we foster a culture of inclusivity and support for all employees. Join us to be part of a global FTSE 100 organisation dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Hybrid (Defence) in Plymouth
✨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 Design Engineer – Hybrid (Defence) in Plymouth
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 Design Engineer – Hybrid (Defence) 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.
