Principal Test Specialist - Mechanical, Joint Test Group

Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.; Victoria; On-site; CAD 86,879 - 115,838; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental premiums paid

RRSP/DPSP matching

Vacation time and holiday closure

Professional development support

Job summary

Babcock Canada is seeking an experienced professional to support submarine systems testing and verification in a shipyard environment. You will oversee testing programs, review procedures, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety, quality, and timely delivery of critical assets.

The role requires senior technical leadership, broad knowledge of marine systems, and eligibility for security clearances relevant to Canadian operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in a technical role with emphasis on marine systems.
• Experience with submarine engineering, sustainment or construction.
• Ability to review complex technical documentation and standards.

Responsibilities

• Maintain awareness of project schedules and ensure tasks meet milestones.
• Lead testing and verification activities for submarine systems.
• Review and approve test procedures in accordance with standards.
• Coordinate meetings and manage risk and continuous improvement.

Skills

Submarine engineering

Documentation interpretation

Verification & validation

Project coordination

Education

Engineering diploma or equivalent

Professional registration (P.Eng/AScT/C.E.T.)

Job description

Location

Victoria, British Columbia, CA, V8Z 0B9

Onsite or Hybrid

Compensation

Expected Salary: $86,879 to $115,838. To determine final salary, Babcock considers a variety of factors including the successful candidate’s skills and experience and internal equity. The final base salary offer is at the company’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

Your Role

In a complex world marked by the threat of war, natural disasters, and geopolitical instability, national security has never been more important. Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. Our Canadian team combines talent and expertise with deep global knowledge from operations in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australasia and Africa.

Working for us, you’ll help ensure that Canada’s critical services and assets are readily available, reliable, and capable for our defence and civil customers and contribute to Babcock’s purpose, ‘Creating a safe and secure world, together.’

Be part of something big. Babcock is a people business. Our people and customers matter most to us. Here you will experience a challenging and rewarding work environment with the support you need to deliver and thrive in your career alongside inclusive teams that respect your skills and dedication.

Our Babcock Principles

• Be Curious – We believe in challenging the status quo and asking, ‘how might we?’
• Think: Outcomes – We believe in measuring success by the results we deliver and the positive impact we make
• Be Kind – We believe in being kind to ourselves, kind to each other, and kind to our planet.
• Collaborate – We believe that Babcock is greater than the sum of its parts.
• Be Courageous – We believe in being brave, ambitious, and determined.
• Own and Deliver – We believe everybody has a part to play in Babcock’s and our customers’ success.

Responsibilities

• Maintain awareness of project schedules, ensuring Joint Test Group (JTG) taskings are executed in accordance with agreed milestones and service level agreements to support the safe and timely delivery of project deliverables.
• Assess work packages, emergent work, and engineering changes to define testing and verification requirements for Victoria Class Submarine (VCS) systems and equipment.
• Lead the review and approval of test and commissioning procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable technical specifications, standards and governance requirements.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant industry standards and best practices applicable to submarine system testing and commissioning activities.
• Monitor and track defects, ensuring appropriate retesting is conducted and recorded to demonstrate resolution and system operability.
• Coordinate and lead meetings of the Mechanical and Naval Architect Joint Test Groups to ensure test documentation is available to support the testing schedule and verification of results to support the delivery schedule of the submarine projects.
• Be responsive to the Joint Test Group Chairman for dynamic program delivery requirements in a shipyard waterfront environment.
• Identify, assess, and elevate risks and opportunities during the course of testing and maintenance, supporting effective decision-making and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Graduated from a recognized institution with post‑secondary education or completed an apprenticeship in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• Professional registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), Applied Science Technologist (AScT) or Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) with the applicable provincial association or eligibility to complete such designation within 12 months of employment.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant technical experience, including:
  • Significant experience (5+ years) in submarine engineering, sustainment, or construction.
  • Experience (5+ years) reviewing and interpreting complex technical documentation.
  • Experience (5+ years) with service requirement verification and validation activities.
  • Experience in reactivation of ship or submarine following refit or major maintenance periods.
• Expert‑level knowledge of one of the following marine systems and strong working knowledge in a variety of other related technologies:
  • Functional testing of mechanical systems;
  • Hydraulic, high‑pressure air and auxiliary systems including control and monitoring systems;
  • Propulsion diesel engines and associated fuel, cooling, lubricating oil, induction and exhaust systems;
  • Marine propulsion systems including shaft lines, propellers, steering systems and control systems;
  • Piping systems, associated testing procedures and engineering standards;
  • Safety requirements for Group Lockout in accordance with WorkSafeBC or equivalent legislation.
• Experience within marine, offshore oil and gas or naval vessel environment is considered a strong asset.
• Submarine‑specific operational experience or equivalent qualifications in a senior capacity is considered an asset.
• Eligibility for a Canadian Secret Security and ITAR Clearance.

Safety & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work effectively in a safety‑critical, industrial shipyard environment, including:
  • Climbing ladders and stairs to access work areas;
  • Navigating scaffolding and working in proximity to water;
  • Operating safely around heavy equipment (e.g., cranes, forklifts).

Benefits

Health & Well‑being

• 100% employer‑paid health and dental premiums;
• Wellness benefit promotes a work environment that supports healthy lifestyles and well‑being;
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) offers support and solutions for a wide range of life’s challenges;
• Maternity/Parental Leave top‑up payment available for colleagues as their family grows.

Planning for the Future

• Babcock Canada matches a portion of earnings toward our RRSP/DPSP program. Additionally, colleagues can contribute directly to a TFSA.

Flexibility in How We Work

• Competitive annual vacation time off and additional time off during our holiday closure.

Growth and recognition

• A comprehensive colleague recognition program and bonus program;
• Training and support for professional development and professional membership dues.

EEO Statement

Babcock is committed to promoting a workforce without boundaries. One that welcomes everyone to contribute to our success regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability, and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered. If you require accommodation during any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know how we can assist you.

Babcock Canada acknowledges that the land on which we operate across Canada is the unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples. We are grateful to work, live, and play as guests on these lands and are committed to building meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

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Testing, Hydraulics, Engineer, Technology, Engineering