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- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects for the Royal Navy's submarine maintenance.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in national defence and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while advancing your engineering career.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and experience in regulated industries required.
- Other info: Hybrid working with a focus on inclusivity and flexible arrangements.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Job Description
Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Starting Salary from £59,110 dependent upon experience + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF65708
Lead the Future of Engineering Excellence
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 Principal Mechanical Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role
As a Principal Engineer, you'll have a role that's out of the ordinary. Join us as a Principal Mechanical Engineer in a forward-thinking, agile environment where your technical expertise and leadership will drive innovation and support national defence. You'll oversee the design and delivery of bespoke mechanical handling and lifting equipment for refit support operations, making a tangible impact on engineering excellence.
Day-to-day, you'll Provide technical support and design consultancy for non-nuclear and nuclear mechanical, you'll lead a team of engineers designing and delivering bespoke mechanical handling and lifting equipment for submarine and warship refit programmes. You'll oversee technical reviews, sign off designs and calculations, and provide expert guidance on complex engineering challenges.
- Leading and managing a team of engineers working on refit support equipment
- Reviewing and signing off technical designs, calculations, and documentation
- Attending authorisation group meetings and supporting fault diagnosis
- Conducting asset condition surveys and preparing health reports
- Responding to technical queries and reviewing industry standards
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.
Essential experience of the Principal Mechanical Engineer
- Experience as a Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Senior Engineer
- Background in bespoke machinery, automation, or special purpose engineering
- Proficiency in FEA (Finite Element Analysis)
- Skilled in Inventor (preferred), SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or other 3D design tools
- Extensive industry experience, ideally gained over a significant period in mechanical engineering environments.
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer
- A minimum of an engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering or CEng accreditation with relevant experience
- Chartered Engineer status (support provided) – Desirable
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) 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 (www.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 the majority of 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
- 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 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: 24/11/2025
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Principal Mechanical Engineer employer: Babcock International
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in defence or related industries. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of mechanical systems. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios specific to the role of a Principal Mechanical Engineer.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for national defence and engineering during interviews. Share examples of how your previous work aligns with Babcock's mission and values. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the role.
✨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 at Babcock.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your experience in mechanical engineering, especially within Defence or other regulated industries. We want to see how your skills align 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 this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for what we do at Babcock.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase any relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise in mechanical systems and compliance with regulations. We’re looking for candidates who can hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering knowledge, especially in areas relevant to defence and nuclear sectors. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role at Babcock.
✨Understand the Company
Familiarise yourself with Babcock's mission and values, particularly their focus on national defence. This will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that assess your understanding of mechanical process systems and compliance with regulations. Practise explaining complex concepts clearly, as you may need to collaborate with various stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
While technical skills are crucial, don’t forget to highlight your teamwork and communication abilities. Babcock values collaboration, so share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to deliver engineering solutions.
