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- Tasks: Lead complex defence projects and manage integrated schedules for national security.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and engineering with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, health benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical projects while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project planning, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Primavera P6.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with flexible working options and excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Location: Bristol, GB, BS3 2HQ
Onsite or Hybrid: Hybrid
Job Title: Principal Project Planner
Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF66831
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 Project Planner at our Ashton Vale, Bristol site.
The Role
As a Principal Project Planner, you’ll be central to delivering some of the UK’s most complex and strategically important defence programmes. You’ll take the lead in managing project schedules, ensuring seamless integration between planning tools and financial or material demand systems.
Your work will have a direct impact on national security and drive innovation across aerospace and engineering, while also advancing your own career and leadership capabilities.
Day-to-day responsibilities
- Collaborate with Control Account Managers, project controllers, and senior stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain robust integrated project schedules.
- Champion project outcomes and mentor junior planners.
- Embed governance and assurance into schedule management.
- Drive performance measurement and delivery focus across programmes.
This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days onsite and days working from home.
Essential Experience
- Proven ability to create and maintain governance artefacts.
- Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.
- Extensive recent experience in a similar role within defence, engineering, or complex project environments.
- Experience supporting Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualifications in project planning or engineering.
- Certifications in project management methodologies.
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 (www.gov.uk).
What We Offer
- 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 portalPayment 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
11/03/2026
#MISYS
Job Segment: CSR, Project Manager, Engineer, Management, Technology, Engineering
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Principal Project Planner employer: Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.
Contact Detail:
Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Project Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and engineering sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Babcock and their projects. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills in Primavera P6 and project governance during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex schedules and collaborated with stakeholders in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Project Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Project Planner role. Highlight your experience in defence, engineering, or complex project environments, and don’t forget to showcase your advanced proficiency in Primavera P6!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: Since strong stakeholder engagement is key for this role, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various teams and managed communications in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you're well-versed in Primavera P6, as it's a key requirement for the Principal Project Planner role. Brush up on your skills and be ready to discuss how you've used it in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that highlight your experience in complex project environments. Be ready to explain how you developed and maintained integrated project schedules and engaged with stakeholders.
✨Understand Governance
Familiarise yourself with governance artefacts like Project Management Plans. Be prepared to discuss how you've embedded governance into your scheduling processes and how it has impacted project outcomes.
✨Engage and Communicate
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing how you've collaborated with Control Account Managers and senior stakeholders in the past.