Remote Embedded Submarine Systems Engineer in Rugeley

This role is built for experienced submariners who know what “good” looks like in practice and are passionate about making a difference as part of the UK Submarine building enterprise. If you’ve served in the Royal Navy Submarine Service, you understand what it means to deliver in demanding environments, solve problems under pressure, and depend on strong teams to get the job done. For many leaving the service there is a desire to stay connected to the submarine enterprise, to continue contributing to something that matters. This role offers exactly that opportunity.

As an Embedded Submarine Systems Engineer, you will play a meaningful part in shaping the next generation of submarine capability. You’ll be embedded within the customer team in Barrow, working day‑to‑day alongside engineers and programme teams. Your job is to make sure our customer is well supported as we contribute to this national endeavour. You’ll be trusted to build strong relationships, provide straight‑talking insight, and represent both the customer’s needs and our engineering standards with credibility.

What you will do:

• Build solid working relationships across the customer team, from hands‑on engineers to senior decision‑makers.
• Act as a trusted point of contact between the customer and our engineering teams.
• Bring real operational experience into design discussions, reviews and problem‑solving.
• Speak up when something doesn’t look right, constructively and with evidence.
• Spot risks early and work with the team to fix issues before they grow.
• Feed back what you’re seeing on‑site to improve how we design and deliver.

The successful candidate will be required to spend time at our Rugeley and Loudwater facilities to gain the required knowledge of our products and people.

What we’re looking for:

• Ex-serving Royal Navy Submariner (Engineering Branch)—ideally at Chief Petty Officer or Warrant Officer level.
• Strong, hands‑on experience of submarine systems and onboard operations.
• Someone who is respected by peers and comfortable operating at multiple levels.
• Able to hold their own in technical conversations, even outside their core specialism.
• Straightforward communicator; clear, calm and professional.
• Confident to challenge when needed, but always focused on getting the right outcome.

The behaviours that matter:

• Credibility – people listen because you’ve done the job and understand the environment.
• Relationship building – you take the time to earn trust and maintain it.
• Calm influence – you don’t need authority to shape decisions.
• Practical thinking – you focus on what will work in the real world.
• Constructive challenge – you call things out in the right way, at the right time.
• Team mindset – you work with people, not against them, to get results.

It helps if you have:

• Experience working with defence contractors or MOD teams post‑service.
• Some exposure to engineering drawings, requirements or design reviews.
• An understanding of how engineering programmes are delivered (not essential).

Why this role stands out:

• You’ll be listened to; your experience will directly influence engineering decisions.
• You’ll stay close to the submarine environment without going back to sea.
• You’ll work alongside capable engineers who value practical input.
• You’ll be trusted to represent both the customer and our business professionally.

Who this suits:

• This role suits someone leaving (or recently left) service who:
• Wants to stay connected to submarines and engineering.
• Enjoys working with people and building strong working relationships.
• Is comfortable stepping into a new environment and making an impact.
• Takes pride in helping others get things right.

Qualifications / Skills required:

• Ex-serving Royal Navy Submariner (Engineering Branch).
• Minimum Level 3 Qualification in Electrical Engineering.
• Proven experience operating, maintaining and fault‑finding submarine systems.
• Strong understanding of submarine platforms, constraints, and operational environments.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, requirements, and technical documentation.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence both technical and non‑technical stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
• Experience working in highly regulated or safety‑critical environments.
• Experience working within defence industry programmes post‑service.
• Knowledge of UK MOD processes and standards.
• Familiarity with systems engineering principles and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting design reviews or engineering change processes.
• Experience onboard SSBNs specifically.

Note: All candidates must meet the security vetting requirements relevant to the role. For reasons of national security, applicants must be British nationals. Dual nationals may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

ESCO Values:

• Integrity: Our values are the cornerstone of building and maintaining trust with our customers.
• Safety: We prioritise uncompromising safety standards to protect our people, partners, and mission critical operations at every level.
• Quality: We deliver superior quality through rigorous engineering, disciplined processes, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
• Customer Service: We build enduring partnerships by anticipating customer needs, exceeding expectations, and delivering with integrity.
• Innovation: We drive mission success by applying forward‑thinking solutions and advancing technology beyond conventional limits.
• Teamwork: We achieve exceptional results through collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared dedication to our collective mission.