At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to shape the future of clean energy and nuclear engineering.
- Company: Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International Group, focused on clean energy and national protection.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, generous holiday, matched pension scheme, and health support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in clean energy while enjoying flexible working arrangements.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and proven leadership experience in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 58349 - 71315 £ per year.
Location: Flexible + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Attractive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF75843
Shape the Future of Clean Energy and Nuclear Engineering
At Cavendish Nuclear, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Head of Engineering at any of our Cavendish Nuclear hubs, near Warrington, Cheshire; Bristol; Leicester, Leicestershire; Newbury, Berkshire; or Moor Row, Cumbria.
The role
As a Head of Engineering, you'll play a pivotal leadership role in helping shape the future of clean energy in the United Kingdom. This is an exciting opportunity to influence major engineering programmes, strengthen technical capability across the business, and build trusted relationships with customers and key stakeholders. This is a permanent, 37-hour-per-week role based at any of our main UK locations. Flexible working arrangements are available, and travel across Cavendish Nuclear hubs and customer sites will be expected.
Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:
- Building and maintaining strategic relationships with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
- Providing technical leadership and assurance to ensure engineering activities meet programme and customer requirements.
- Developing future engineering capability to support business growth, innovation, and emerging nuclear opportunities.
- Representing Cavendish Nuclear through external presentations, conferences, networking events, and industry forums.
- Supporting business development activities by promoting technical capability and identifying opportunities for growth.
Essential experience of the Head of Engineering:
- Demonstrable experience leading engineering teams and functions within a complex engineering environment.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and influence customers, stakeholders, and senior leaders.
- Recognised credibility as a technical or engineering leader within your field.
- Experience driving innovation, continuous improvement, and organisational change.
- Passion for the nuclear, clean energy, or highly regulated engineering sector, with a commitment to shaping its future.
Qualifications for the Head of Engineering:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) / 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 Cavendish 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.
Cavendish
We’re Cavendish Nuclear — a team of c5,000 specialists and a core part of Babcock International Group. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. Across clean energy, defence, and civil decommissioning, your work will contribute to projects that are critical to energy security and national protection. Together, we’re shaping a future that lasts — not only through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance. Join us and discover 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: 21/09/2026
Head of Engineering in Reading employer: Nuclearinst
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at RAF Valley, where you can lead aircraft maintenance activities that are vital to national security. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, health consultations, and opportunities for professional development, all while fostering a culture of inclusivity and work-life balance. Join us to be part of a global team dedicated to engineering excellence and meaningful careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in Reading
✨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 Head of Engineering 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 Head of Engineering 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 Head of Engineering in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Engineering, 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.
