At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multidisciplinary teams in innovative nuclear decommissioning projects and develop complex engineering solutions.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a leader in the UK nuclear industry with a commitment to safety and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, matched pension contributions, and access to health and wellness resources.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working arrangements and excellent opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a critical industry while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and experience leading technical projects; nuclear experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Starting Salary from £61,474 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
- Extensive industry experience in mechanical engineering environments, as a Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Senior Engineer
- Skilled in Inventor (preferred), SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or other 3D design tools
- Proficiency in FEA (Finite Element Analysis) - Desirable
- Experienced in hand calculations
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineering degree or CEng accreditation or qualified by 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
We're Babcock - 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. Together, we’re building a future that lasts - not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work‑life balance.
We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.
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: 14/05/2026
Principal Mechanical Engineer employer: Babcock International
Babcock International is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Rosyth site in Scotland, where you can contribute to impactful construction and infrastructure projects. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide ongoing training and development opportunities, alongside a collaborative culture that prioritises safety and compliance. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your career advancement in the engineering field.
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 industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Principal Mechanical Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cavendish Nuclear and their projects. Understand their approach to nuclear decommissioning and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams and delivered complex projects. Highlight your mentoring experience too, as it’s key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
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 leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex projects, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about nuclear decommissioning and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any relevant experience, even if it’s from highly regulated industries.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your technical expertise, especially in producing and reviewing engineering outputs. We’re keen on candidates who can demonstrate compliance with codes and standards, so don’t hold back on those details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to mechanical engineering, especially in the context of nuclear decommissioning. Familiarise yourself with relevant codes and standards, as well as any recent advancements in the field. This will help you answer technical questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll be leading multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams, mentored others, or delivered complex projects. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and drive continuous improvement.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just wait for questions; engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their projects, team dynamics, and company culture. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to demonstrate your commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented best practices in previous roles and how you plan to uphold these standards at Cavendish Nuclear.
