At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the commissioning of mechanical systems for Vanguard Class submarines.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Level 4 engineering qualification or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 57300 - 71600 £ per year.
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 Commissioning Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role
As a Principal Mechanical Commissioning Engineer, you’ll be a subject matter expert supporting the commissioning of strategic weapons systems on Vanguard Class submarines within the SSBN Commissioning Group. This is an opportunity to take a leading role in one of the UK's most important defence programmes, combining technical expertise, leadership and operational excellence to ensure the safe delivery of critical submarine systems. Day-to-day, you’ll work closely with engineering, operations, safety, quality and project teams, helping to develop capability within the organisation while supporting the delivery of complex commissioning activities in a highly regulated environment. This role offers excellent opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to national security.
- Leading the planning and delivery of commissioning, testing and setting-to-work activities for nuclear submarine mechanical systems.
- Preparing and ensuring the authorisation of test documentation to support project delivery programmes.
- Promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with safe systems of work and regulatory requirements.
- Managing and developing mechanical commissioning teams, supporting capability growth and resource planning.
- Collaborating with key stakeholders to resolve complex technical challenges and deliver successful commissioning outcomes.
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
Essential experience of the Principal Mechanical Commissioning Engineer
- Significant experience commissioning, operating and maintaining mechanical systems within high-hazard or heavily regulated industries.
- Strong knowledge of control of work processes, safe release of systems and safe systems of work.
- Understanding of relevant licence conditions, operating rules and commissioning requirements.
- Experience managing multiple complex commissioning packages within demanding operational environments.
- Strong leadership, planning, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Commissioning Engineer
- Level 4 qualification in a relevant Engineering discipline, or Level 3 qualification in a relevant Engineering discipline with significant commissioning operations experience.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve 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 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: 31/08/2026
Principal Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical in Plymouth 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical in Plymouth
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like weServed.
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✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of weServed and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for weServed and the Principal Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at weServed
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at weServed.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at weServed.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with weServed, making you a more appealing candidate.
