Assistant Chief Engineer - Propulsion and Platform Systems

Babcock International Group; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Pension with life assurance

Digital GP access

Employee share scheme

Be Kind Day

Job summary

Babcock is seeking a System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems at HMNB Clyde Faslane to safeguard the UK’s submarines. You will provide technical oversight, delegation and interface with Design and Technical Authorities, guiding work from package creation through testing and acceptance.

Based in Helensburgh, the role is full time and on‑site, with three days per week minimum. You will work with internal project teams and MOD stakeholders, manage technical risks, conduct

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in submarine engineering and related systems.
• Strong understanding of system engineering within mechanical or electrical disciplines.
• Experience conducting technical audits and navigating related processes.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to identify, manage and prioritise technical risks and mitigations.

Responsibilities

• Act on behalf of the Chief Engineer, providing technical oversight across Platform Systems.
• Hold full technical delegations and interface with Design and Technical Authorities.
• Ensure design intent is upheld from work package creation through execution and testing.
• Collaborate with internal project teams and MOD stakeholders on long‑term engineering solutions.
• Participate in groups to assess engineering changes and support continuous improvement.

Skills

Submarine engineering

System engineering

Audit experience

Stakeholder comms

Risk management

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Assistant Chief Engineer – Propulsion and Platform Systems

Location: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute

Compensation: Up to £70,000 depending on experience + benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF71041

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 System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems at our HMNB Clyde Faslane site.

The role

As a System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems, you’ll have a unique opportunity to join a high‑impact engineering environment where you’ll grow professionally, build specialist expertise, and contribute to work that truly matters.

Day-to-day, you’ll help safeguard the operational capability of the UK’s most advanced Royal Navy submarines. Your work will span deep maintenance periods, ensuring every system meets the required safety, performance and availability standards.

• Act on behalf of the Chief Engineer, providing technical oversight and guidance across Platform Systems.
• Hold full technical delegations and serve as a key interface with Design and Technical Authorities.
• Understand and uphold design intent from work package creation through execution, testing and acceptance.
• Work closely with internal project teams and external MOD stakeholders, contributing to long‑term engineering solutions.
• Participate in working groups to assess engineering change, address technical issues and support continuous improvement.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based at HMNB Clyde Faslane. The successful candidate will be flexible to work onsite in line with business requirements, ranging from a minimum of three days per week up to full‑time onsite attendance.

Essential experience of the System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems

• Demonstrable experience in submarine engineering.
• Strong awareness of system engineering within mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines.
• Practical experience conducting technical audits and navigating associated processes.
• Strong communication skills, with experience engaging a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience identifying, managing and prioritising technical risks and associated mitigations.

Qualifications for the System Technical Authority – Propulsion and Platform Systems

• Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Chartered Engineer status, or close to achieving it.
• Additional technical qualifications or professional development related to naval, marine, systems or mechanical/electrical engineering – desirable.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is 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. 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. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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 enables employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their 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. 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.

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 [e-mail]. 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: 05/08/2026