At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams on innovative vehicle programmes for defence and aerospace.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering with a mission to create a safer world.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, matched pension scheme, and access to health consultations.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to building a future that lasts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in complex engineering programmes and a degree in an engineering discipline.
The predicted salary is between 44100 - 53900 £ per year.
Location: Flexible UK + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: From £75,100 Dependant on Experience + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Overview
Bring Your Commercial Skills to Projects That Help Create a Safer World. 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 Chief Engineer based at our Plymouth, Devon or Bristol sites.
The role
As a Chief Engineer you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You’ll provide strategic and technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams working at the forefront of defence, aerospace, and engineering innovation. This is your opportunity to influence some of the UK’s most critical vehicle capability programmes — ensuring they are safe, reliable, resilient, and built to the highest technical standards.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering complex vehicle programmes.
- Oversee system architecture development, design solutions, integration strategies, and verification and validation activities.
- Act as the primary technical interface with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
- Represent engineering at technical reviews, governance boards, and programme milestones.
- Ensure technical integrity, safety, and performance across all protected mobility vehicle systems.
This is a full time role, working 37 hours per week. Hybrid working patterns are available with 2 days onsite per week based in Plymouth, Devon or Bristol.
Essential experience
- Proven experience leading complex, multidisciplinary engineering programmes at a senior level.
- Strong understanding of vehicle systems engineering, integration, and lifecycle management.
- Deep knowledge of defence standards, safety assurance, and regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrable leadership and stakeholder management capability.
- Ability to influence technical strategy in a high‑integrity engineering environment.
Qualifications
- HNC/HND or Degree in an Engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards it (Desirable).
- Additional systems engineering, safety engineering or defence-accredited qualifications (Desirable).
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.
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 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.
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: 08/04/2026
Chief Engineer employer: Nuclearinst
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Hawthorn, Corsham, where innovation meets collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our generous benefits package, including a matched contribution pension scheme, professional development opportunities, and initiatives like Be Kind Day for volunteering. Join us to be part of a supportive culture that values diversity and encourages flexible working arrangements, ensuring you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Engineer
✨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 Chief Engineer role you’re after at Nuclearinst.
✨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 Nuclearinst 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 Nuclearinst.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Chief Engineer at Nuclearinst, 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 Chief Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Chief 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 Nuclearinst 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 Nuclearinst 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 Nuclearinst
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Nuclearinst, 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 Nuclearinst 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.
