At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead submarine engineering projects and ensure safety and performance standards.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering and national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, and health support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's advanced Royal Navy submarines.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and experience in submarine or systems engineering.
Location: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute
Compensation: Up to £70,000 Depending on Experience + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape the Future of Submarine Engineering 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 System Technical Authority - Propulsion and Platform Systems at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site.
The role
As a System Technical Authority - Propulsion and Platform Systems, you'll have a unique opportunity to join a high‑impact engineering environment where you'll grow professionally, build specialist expertise, and contribute to work that truly matters. Day-to-day, you'll help safeguard the operational capability of the UK's most advanced Royal Navy submarines. Your work will span deep maintenance periods, ensuring every system meets the required safety, performance and availability standards.
- Act on behalf of the Chief Engineer, providing technical oversight and guidance across Platform Systems.
- Hold full technical delegations and serve as a key interface with Design and Technical Authorities.
- Understand and uphold design intent from work package creation through execution, testing and acceptance.
- Work closely with internal project teams and external MOD stakeholders, contributing to long‑term engineering solutions.
- Participate in working groups to assess engineering change, address technical issues and support continuous improvement.
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at HMNB Clyde Faslane. The successful candidate will be flexible to work onsite in line with business requirements, ranging from a minimum of three days per week up to full‑time onsite attendance.
Essential experience of the System Technical Authority - Propulsion and Platform Systems
- Demonstrable experience in submarine engineering.
- Strong awareness of system engineering within mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines.
- Practical experience conducting technical audits and navigating associated processes.
- Strong communication skills, with experience engaging a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience identifying, managing and prioritising technical risks and associated mitigations.
Qualifications for the System Technical Authority - Propulsion and Platform Systems
- Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience.
- Chartered Engineer status, or close to achieving it.
- Additional technical qualifications or professional development related to naval, marine, systems or mechanical/electrical engineering - Desirable.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is 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 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 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
- 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 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: 05/08/2026
Assistant Chief Engineer - Propulsion and Platform Systems in Helensburgh employer: weServed
As a Mechanical Technical Officer at our Donnington site in Telford, you will be part of a dedicated team that supports critical defence capabilities while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. We offer generous benefits including a matched contribution pension scheme, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact on national security.
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We think this is how you could land Assistant Chief Engineer - Propulsion and Platform Systems in Helensburgh
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chief Engineer - Propulsion and Platform Systems in Helensburgh
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How to prepare for a job interview at weServed
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with weServed, 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!
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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.
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✨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.
