At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety engineering for major infrastructure projects supporting the Royal Navy.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working with a focus on work-life balance and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security and public infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or STEM; experience in safety engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 61474 - 68754 £ per year.
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 Safety Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role
As a Principal Safety Engineer, you’ll play a vital role in the safe delivery of major infrastructure projects that support the Royal Navy’s ship and submarine sustainment programmes. Working within the Major Infrastructure Projects (MIP) directorate, you’ll support the design and upgrade of complex dock, berth and building facilities, ensuring these critical systems can be accepted into service and meet all regulatory and operational requirements.
Day-to-day, your expertise in safety engineering will influence design intent, validate safety claims and ensure that engineered solutions meet stringent technical and functional safety requirements.
- Review safety engineering designs to assess compliance against relevant engineering and HSE standards.
- Provide subject matter expertise to support technical problem‑solving across design and construction teams.
- Guide and review safety design packages, ensuring integration with other engineering disciplines.
- Ensure safety case claims can be substantiated through compliant, complete and accurate design documentation.
- Provide onsite advice for design changes or defect rectification, ensuring quality assurance and adherence to engineering.
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 of the Principal Safety Engineer
- Strong background in safety engineering within complex projects and high‑hazard industries (minimum Senior Safety Engineer level).
- Experience reviewing or managing safety cases and assessing design intent.
- Dockyard, defence, or nuclear industry experience (oil and gas, rail, aerospace also considered).
- Experience as a Design Authority or supporting DA processes - Desirable.
- Ability to evaluate technical issues and guide engineering teams toward compliant solutions.
Qualifications for the Principal Safety Engineer
- Degree in an Engineering or STEM discipline.
- Additional qualifications or experience in nuclear or safety‑critical systems - 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 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.
- ‘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.
BabcockWe’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: 08/09/2026
Principal Safety Engineer in Torpoint employer: Babcock
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and leadership thrive. With competitive compensation, generous benefits, and a strong commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of asset management while enjoying a healthy work-life balance in beautiful locations like Bristol, Plymouth, and Helensburgh. Join us to be part of a global organisation dedicated to making a meaningful impact on national security and public infrastructure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Safety Engineer in Torpoint
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Principal Safety Engineer role you’re after at Babcock.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Babcock a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Babcock.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Principal Safety Engineer at Babcock, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Safety Engineer in Torpoint
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Principal Safety Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Babcock a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Babcock specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Babcock, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Babcock want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
