At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects for national defence and oversee a talented team.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, matched pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth and support for personal wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent experience; skilled in 3D design tools.
The predicted salary is between 61474 - 61474 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Starting Salary from £61,474 dependent upon experience + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Lead the Future of Engineering Excellence
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 Mechanical Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
Role
As a Principal Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Join us as a Principal Mechanical Engineer in a forward-thinking, agile environment where your technical expertise and leadership will drive innovation and support national defence. You’ll oversee the design and delivery of bespoke mechanical handling and lifting equipment for refit support operations, making a tangible impact on engineering excellence.
Day-to-day, you’ll:
- Provide technical support and design consultancy for non-nuclear and nuclear mechanical.
- Lead a team of engineers designing and delivering bespoke mechanical handling and lifting equipment for submarine and warship refit programmes.
- Oversee technical reviews, sign off designs and calculations, and provide expert guidance on complex engineering challenges.
- Lead and manage a team of engineers working on refit support equipment.
- Review and sign off technical designs, calculations, and documentation.
- Attend authorisation group meetings and support fault diagnosis.
- Conduct asset condition surveys and prepare health reports.
- Respond to technical queries and review industry standards.
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.
Essential experience of the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Extensive industry experience in mechanical engineering environments, as a Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Senior Engineer.
- Skilled in Inventor (preferred), SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or other 3D design tools.
- Proficiency in FEA (Finite Element Analysis) - Desirable.
- Experienced in hand calculations.
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Mechanical Engineering degree or CEng accreditation or qualified by experience.
- Chartered Engineer status (support provided) – Desirable.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) 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.
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 the majority of 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
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 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: 10/03/2026
Principal Mechanical Engineer in Devon employer: Nuclearinst
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site, you will benefit from generous holiday allowances, a matched contribution pension scheme, and exceptional professional development opportunities, all while contributing to vital national defence projects. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our flexible working arrangements and initiatives like 'Be Kind Day', ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work at Babcock or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with mechanical handling and lifting equipment, as well as how you’ve led teams in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for engineering excellence! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've driven innovation in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Babcock.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in mechanical engineering environments and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with design tools like Inventor or SolidWorks.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We’re looking for someone with solid technical expertise. Be sure to include specific examples of projects where you’ve used FEA or conducted asset condition surveys. This will help us see your hands-on experience in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll need to showcase your extensive industry experience and technical expertise. Brush up on key concepts related to mechanical handling and lifting equipment, and be ready to discuss your previous projects in detail.
✨Show Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, overseen projects, and resolved complex engineering challenges in the past.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
Make sure you're comfortable discussing design tools like Inventor, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD. If you have experience with FEA, be prepared to explain how you've applied it in your work. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also hands-on.
✨Understand Security Clearance Requirements
Since this role requires security clearance, be ready to discuss your eligibility. Familiarise yourself with the requirements and be honest about your background. This shows integrity and helps build trust with the interviewers.
