At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead project planning for vital defence programmes and drive innovation in aerospace.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in national security and engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, and health support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent development opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in project planning and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ 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 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, you’ll be required to:
- 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 of the Principal Project Planner
- 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 for the Principal Project Planner
- 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.
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.
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: 11/03/2026
Principal Project Planner in Bristol employer: Nuclearinst
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the defence sector. Our Ashton Vale, Bristol location provides hybrid working arrangements, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, and exceptional opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that our employees can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Project Planner in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Babcock on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your project planning skills, especially with Primavera P6. We want to show them we’re not just good on paper but can also talk the talk!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your experience in defence and complex project environments during interviews. We need to make it clear that we understand the unique challenges of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we can keep track of our progress and follow up if needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Project Planner in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Project Planner role. Highlight your experience with project schedules and governance artefacts, as these are key for us at Babcock.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and any relevant project management certifications. We want to see how you can bring your skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your experience aligns with our mission. Make it personal and engaging – we love to see your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
As a Principal Project Planner, you'll need to demonstrate your advanced proficiency in Primavera P6. Make sure you brush up on its features and functionalities before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used it in past projects to manage schedules effectively.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role requires strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with Control Account Managers and senior stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your communication made a difference in project outcomes.
✨Emphasise Governance Experience
Governance is key in this position. Be prepared to talk about your experience creating and maintaining governance artefacts. Think of concrete examples where your governance practices led to successful project delivery and how you can embed these into schedule management.
✨Prepare for Security Clearance Questions
Since this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, be ready to discuss your eligibility. Familiarise yourself with the security vetting process and be honest about your background. This will show your understanding of the importance of security in defence projects.
