Ancillary Crane Operator

BAE Systems.; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking an Ancillary Crane Operator to support production activities. This role requires safely operating lifting equipment, working at height, and handling heavy loads. The ideal candidate should have a Mobile Crane Licence and experience in heavy lifting. The position offers a range of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme and flexible health perks. Deadline for applications is 24th December 2025.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Shopping discounts

Potential annual incentive

Qualifications

• Ideally have experience working with cranes and heavy lifting techniques.
• Possess numeracy and interpretation skills to handle lifting load calculations.
• Mobile Crane Licence (A60/A66) is essential for this position.

Responsibilities

• Identify and record damaged equipment during operations.
• Safely operate lifting equipment according to safety regulations.
• Move heavy loads using cranes according to lift plans and safety guidelines.

Skills

Experience with heavy lifting

Ability to work at height

Ability to interpret detailed drawings

Basic numeracy skills

Capability to work in confined spaces

Mobile Crane Licence - A60/A66

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Title: Ancillary - Crane Operator

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (On-site)

Salary: £33,807

What you'll be doing

• Identifying and recording any damaged equipment
• Making sure heavy and bulky lifting gear and accessories are collected from stores and available at the lift location, which may involve climbing several scaffold levels multiple times per shift
• Safely operating all lifting equipment and accessories in line with manufacturer instructions and the lift plan
• Determining the weight and characteristics of loads using mathematical techniques and formulas for calculating slinging methods, angles, and load weight/centre of gravity
• Positioning lifting and moving equipment, as well as loads, using portable lifting devices and/or cranes
• Moving loads that range from a few kilograms to large submarine sections weighing hundreds of tonnes, either in large manufacturing facilities or within restricted submarine spaces
• All tasks will be carried out under the supervision of experienced slingers and crane operators, and you will gain experience working safely in accordance with operational requirements and relevant Safe Systems of Work

Your skills and experiences

Essential

• Experience with heavy lifting
• Ability to work at height
• Ability to interpret detailed drawings
• Basic numeracy skills
• Capability to work in confined spaces
• Mobile Crane Licence - A60/A66 (e.g., Pick and Carry)

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
• Understanding of LOLER, PUWER, and relevant British Standards
• Computer literacy

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Services Heavy Lifting team

As an Ancillary Crane Operator, you will be working as part of the Services Heavy Lifting Team, responsible for providing specialist and non-specialist services in support of production activities. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

24th December 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.