Principal Engineer

Overview

Job Title: Principal Engineer

Location: Devonport, Plymouth

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF70467

Lead the Future of Marine Engineering

At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Engineer at Devonport, near Plymouth, Devon.

The role

As a Principal Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of naval platforms, delivering innovative mechanical engineering solutions that support critical defence and marine programmes—including the Type 31 Frigate and Arrowhead‑class vessels.

This is a senior, high‑impact role where you’ll guide multidisciplinary engineering teams, influence major maritime projects, and contribute to cutting‑edge naval capability. It’s an opportunity to develop your career through exposure to complex engineering challenges while helping deliver work that strengthens national security and protects those who serve.

Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:

• Lead and guide engineering teams, providing technical oversight to ensure systems integrate seamlessly with project and customer requirements.
• Deliver engineering support across power and propulsion, HVAC, and auxiliary systems, ensuring compliance with maritime and naval standards.
• Resolve production and installation queries, including alignment, non‑compliance investigations, and liaison with Classification Societies.
• Produce, review, and approve engineering documentation such as specifications, calculations, and technical reports.
• Act as a key technical interface with customers, OEMs, and suppliers, maintaining strong and collaborative working relationships.

This is a full‑time position, working 35 hours per week, based at Devonport. Hybrid working patterns are available, with an expectation of regular onsite presence.

Essential experience of the Principal Engineer

• Significant experience producing and approving detailed engineering outputs, including specifications, calculations, and commissioning documentation.
• Strong working knowledge of engineering procedures, codes, and standards.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (2D/3D), systems analysis software, and engineering platforms.
• Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex engineering projects.
• Experience mentoring and developing engineering talent to build capability and performance.

Qualifications for the Principal Engineer

• Degree in Marine, Mechanical, or related engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status with a recognised institution (e.g., RINA, IMechE, IMarEST, IET).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in naval or marine engineering.
• Expertise in power and propulsion, HVAC, and auxiliary systems.
• Strong working knowledge of IMO, SOLAS, and Classification Society standards (e.g., Lloyd’s Register, DNV).

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. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK.

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 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. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• 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
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

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: 04/02/2026

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