At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead teams to deliver environmental outcomes and ensure compliance with UK regulations.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a key player in the UK's clean energy future.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's energy resilience and work in an innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in environmental or engineering discipline; experience in regulated industries preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible, UK + Hybrid Working Arrangement
Compensation: Attractive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Drive Environmental Excellence at The Forefront Of The United Kingdom’s Clean Energy Future
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 Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer at any of our main UK locations, near Bristol, Warrington, Leicester, Newbury, or Preston.
The role
The UK’s small and advanced modular reactor sector is entering a pivotal phase, with major programmes progressing and strong government backing. Join us as a Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer at the centre of this momentum and build your career across the nuclear and defence sector. We’re seeking a Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer to join our Advanced Nuclear Technologies team, working in a fast‑moving, innovation‑led environment with real national impact. You’ll help shape the next generation of nuclear power through cutting‑edge design, accelerated deployment and projects that strengthen the UK’s long‑term energy resilience. If you want your work to matter at scale, this is the role for you.
This is a full‑time role, based across any of our main UK locations. Flexible working patterns are available, and travel to other customer sites will be expected.
Day‑to‑day, you’ll be required to:
- Leading and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver environmental and safety outcomes aligned to programme requirements
- Overseeing environmental permitting activities and ensuring full compliance with United Kingdom regulatory frameworks
- Building and strengthening environmental capability, processes and best practice across projects
- Engaging collaboratively with regulators, clients and key stakeholders to maintain strong, trusted relationships
- Supporting licensing and approval processes by preparing high‑quality documentation and ensuring the right expertise is in place
Essential experience of the Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer:
- Demonstrating strong knowledge of United Kingdom environmental regulation, permitting or site licensing
- Leading complex engineering or infrastructure projects in highly regulated industries such as nuclear, energy or infrastructure
- Managing technical teams and delivering outcomes in challenging programme environments
- Engaging effectively with regulators and external stakeholders
- Driving continuous improvement in environmental performance and compliance
Qualifications for the Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer:
- Degree or equivalent in an environmental, engineering or scientific discipline
- Professional membership or working towards chartered status is desirable
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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. This Window opens February through to March annually.
- 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 5,000 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: 08/06/2026
Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer in Reading employer: Nuclearinst
Cavendish Nuclear is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions innovation and collaboration in the nuclear and defence sectors. With flexible working arrangements, generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, and a strong commitment to employee development and wellbeing, you will find ample opportunities for growth while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance the UK's clean energy future. Join us to be part of a supportive culture that values work-life balance and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the role of Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Environmental Permitting Engineer role. Highlight your experience with environmental regulations and any relevant projects you've led, as this will show us you're a great fit for the position.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with the job description. We want to see examples of how you've engaged with regulators or managed technical teams in challenging environments. This helps us understand your hands-on experience.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. This makes it easier for us to see your qualifications and understand your passion for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you brush up on UK environmental regulations and permitting processes. Being able to discuss specific regulations and how they apply to the role will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re ready to lead in this area.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your experience in managing complex projects, especially in regulated industries like nuclear or energy, to demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about times when you've effectively engaged with regulators and external stakeholders. Be ready to share these experiences during the interview, as building strong relationships is key to success in this position.
✨Prepare High-Quality Documentation Samples
Since the role involves preparing documentation for licensing and approvals, consider bringing samples of your previous work. This will not only showcase your writing skills but also your attention to detail and understanding of what high-quality documentation looks like.
