At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead underwater engineering projects and ensure naval vessels are mission-ready.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and marine engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: HNC in Engineering or equivalent experience; diving knowledge is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute
Compensation: Up to £48,000 depending on experience + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Engineer beneath the surface — keep critical naval assets mission‑ready while building a career that matters. At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as an In Water Engineer at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site.
The role
As an In Water Engineer, you’ll deliver technical leadership across in‑water and diving work packages that keep vessels safe, available and compliant. You’ll act as a trusted point of contact for underwater activities, shaping method statements, assuring safety documentation and standards, and collaborating across Fleet Operations to solve complex challenges. It is meaningful work with real‑world impact and a powerful platform to broaden your engineering capability in defence, aerospace and marine engineering.
Day‑to‑day you’ll be required to:
- Provide technical engineering support and guidance to in‑water and diving work packages.
- Review and apply safety documentation to underpin all underwater project activities.
- Act as the technical point of contact for underwater engineering across Fleet Operations.
- Develop clear, compliant method statements with stakeholders across the site.
- Assure compliance with relevant defence and industry standards, driving continuous improvement.
This role is full time, 36 hours per week Monday to Thursday 07:15 - 16:45 and is based on site at HMNB Clyde Faslane.
Essential experience of the In Water Engineer
- Good understanding of underwater maintenance, inspection and repair techniques.
- Strong grounding in marine engineering practices.
- Awareness of submarine systems and equipment.
- Knowledge of safe systems of work and risk management.
- Understanding of commercial diving is desirable but not essential.
Qualifications for the In Water Engineer
- Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering, an Apprenticeship in Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Association for Project Management – Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) - desirable.
- Microsoft Project training (Introduction/Intermediate) - desirable.
- Confined Spaces for Competent Persons - desirable.
- Commercial Diving Project Awareness - 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. 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 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.
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: 04/06/2026
In Water Engineer in Helensburgh employer: Nuclearinst
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values safety, inclusivity, and professional growth. As an In Water Engineer at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site, you will benefit from generous holiday allowances, a matched contribution pension scheme, and unique opportunities for volunteering through our 'Be Kind Day'. Join us to make a meaningful impact in defence and marine engineering while advancing your career in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land In Water Engineer in Helensburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Babcock, especially those in similar roles. They can give you insider tips on what the company values and how to stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical questions! Brush up on your knowledge of underwater maintenance and marine engineering practices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're ready to tackle the challenges of the In Water Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve tackled complex challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate and find solutions, which is key for this position.
✨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 serious about joining the team at Babcock and contributing to meaningful work.
We think you need these skills to ace In Water Engineer in Helensburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your understanding of underwater maintenance and marine engineering practices to show us you're the right fit for the In Water Engineer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this role. Share specific examples of your past experiences that align with the responsibilities of the position, especially around safety documentation and compliance.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like your HNC in Engineering or any project management certifications. This helps us see how your background aligns with our needs and the essential experience we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨Know Your Underwater Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of underwater maintenance, inspection, and repair techniques. Familiarise yourself with marine engineering practices and submarine systems, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Safety First!
Since safety documentation is crucial for this role, be prepared to discuss how you would apply safety standards to underwater projects. Think about examples from your past experience where you ensured compliance with safety regulations.
✨Method Statements Matter
Understand the importance of developing clear and compliant method statements. Be ready to share your approach to collaborating with stakeholders and how you ensure that all parties are aligned on project goals.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
As an In Water Engineer, you'll need to tackle complex challenges. Prepare some examples of how you've solved engineering problems in the past, especially in a team setting, to demonstrate your technical leadership capabilities.
