At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex defence projects and shape the future of naval engineering.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development.
- Other info: Hybrid working, inclusive culture, and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security and public infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM or equivalent experience; strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Bristol, Plymouth or Rosyth + Hybrid Working
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Lead Complex Defence Projects – Join Us as a Senior Systems Engineer
About Us
At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Systems Engineer at one of our Babcock sites.
The role
As a Senior Systems Engineer, you’ll be deployed on exciting projects, including complex shipbuilding and design for platforms such as Arrowhead 140. Your work will help define and understand problems, capture stakeholder needs, and translate them into system and sub-system requirements that shape the future of naval engineering. This is an opportunity to influence major defence programmes, ensuring compliance and delivering solutions that matter. You’ll join a collaborative team that values innovation and offers clear pathways for career progression.
Day‑to‑day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:
- Understand customer needs and elicit formal requirements.
- Derive and manage requirements for systems and sub-systems.
- Ensure compliance is maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
- Define acceptance methodologies for system and sub-system requirements.
- Manage the Assurance and Acceptance process with customers and suppliers.
This is a full-time, permanent position based at one of our key locations – Bristol Business Park (Stoke Gifford, Bristol), HMNB Devonport (Plymouth, Devon), or Rosyth (Fife, Scotland). The role follows a hybrid working pattern, with 2 days per week in the office. You will work 37 hours per week.
Essential experience of the Senior Systems Engineer:
- Experience in requirements elicitation and management and/or acceptance of complex systems.
- Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills.
- Strong understanding of systems engineering principles.
Qualifications for the Senior Systems Engineer:
- Degree‑level qualification in a STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) or equivalent industry/armed forces experience.
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 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: 19/06/2026
Senior Systems Engineer employer: weServed
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives and career progression is encouraged. With competitive compensation, generous benefits, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, including flexible working options and opportunities for professional development, Babcock fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusivity at its Bristol, Plymouth, and Rosyth locations. Join us to contribute to meaningful defence projects while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Babcock on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the role inside out. Dive deep into systems engineering principles and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the requirements. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Think of examples from your past work where you tackled complex issues. Being able to articulate these experiences will impress the interviewers and show you can handle the challenges of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Babcock team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience in requirements elicitation and management, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention specific projects or experiences that relate to our work at Babcock.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills:As a Senior Systems Engineer, problem-solving is key. In your application, share examples of challenges you've faced and how you tackled them. This will help us see your thought process and approach to complex issues.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at weServed
✨Know Your Systems Engineering Principles
Brush up on your understanding of systems engineering principles before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in past projects, especially in requirements elicitation and management.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities. Think of specific challenges you've faced in complex systems and how you approached them. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the demands of the role.
✨Understand Stakeholder Needs
Familiarise yourself with the importance of capturing stakeholder needs. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully translated these needs into system requirements in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the projects you'll be working on and the team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values.
