At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex submarine engineering projects and ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer status or equivalent experience in submarine structural integrity.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 58000 £ per year.
Location: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: £48,000 - £58,000 + 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 Senior Naval Architect at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site.
The role:
As a Senior Naval Architect, you’ll take on technically complex, non‑routine engineering work that sits at the heart of the UK’s submarine enterprise. This is a role with real influence ensuring vessels meet stringent safety, regulatory, and classification standards, while supporting operational excellence across critical defence programmes.
Day‑to‑day you’ll be required to:
- Deliver survey activity and close‑out in line with contract requirements and performance measures
- Provide technical assurance through auditing, review, and approval of surveys across Babcock, subcontractors, and suppliers
- Ensure compliance with defence, regulatory, and classification standards
- Support the Principal Naval Architect with technical leadership and mentoring of junior colleagues
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to maintain quality, safety, and operational excellence
Please note that this position involves working in confined spaces. Candidates must be able to work comfortably and perform tasks in restricted spaces. This role is full time, 36 hours per week Monday to Thursday, 07:15 – 16:45 and provides hybrid working arrangements with 3 days in the office/onsite and 1 day working from home.
Essential experience:
- Working knowledge of relevant defence, British, and classification society standards and regulatory frameworks
- Experience with nuclear submarines, understanding structural integrity, systems, and operational requirements
- Knowledge of Ministry of Defence organisations and survey documentation processes
- Application of safe systems of work, including COSHH and risk assessments
- Experience in quality assurance and compliance environments
Qualifications:
- Chartered Engineer status as a Naval Architect or Maritime Constructive Engineer, or equivalent demonstrable submarine structural experience
- Hull Inspection, Damage and Repair training
- Painting Inspector Level 1 – ICorr would be advantageous
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.
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 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 to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity.
Babcock is 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 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: 02/07/2026
Senior Naval Architect employer: weServed
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site in Helensburgh, where you can engage in technically complex submarine engineering projects that are vital to national security. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide generous benefits including a matched pension scheme, health consultations, and opportunities for professional development, all while promoting a culture of inclusivity and work-life balance. Join us to be part of a global team dedicated to making a meaningful impact through innovative engineering solutions.
