Design Engineer

Babcock International; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Plymouth is seeking a Design Engineer – Refit Support Equipment. You will collaborate on technical authority functions supporting the Royal Navy's submarine fleet. Requirements include understanding mechanical engineering principles, familiarity with refit support equipment, and a relevant qualification. This role offers a generous benefits package, hybrid working arrangement, and excellent development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering

Excellent development opportunities

Qualifications

• Understanding of mechanical engineering principles for pressure/pipework systems.
• Familiarity with refit support equipment for submarine classes.
• Knowledge of the design lifecycle and applicable regulations and standards.
• Experience in pressure systems, CAD, component simulation, or fluid flow analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering tasks in a collaborative team environment.
• Produce and review design documentation.
• Advise on design compliance with relevant codes and standards.
• Represent Technical Authority during site visits.
• Provide technical support and input to design reviews.

Skills

Mechanical engineering principles

Refit support equipment familiarity

Design lifecycle knowledge

CAD experience

Education

FdSc/HND or equivalent in mechanical/process engineering

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Design Engineer – Refit Support Equipment

Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: £43,935 + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF67545

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 Design Engineer – Refit Support Equipment at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As a Design Engineer – Refit Support Equipment, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary, as part of a team delivering technical authority and design agency functions that support the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. You’ll work on critical refit support equipment that interfaces with submarine reactor plant fluid systems and other ship or facility systems. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to national defence, develop your engineering expertise, and grow your career in a highly regulated and rewarding environment.

Day-to-day, you’ll support engineering delivery through design reviews, technical compliance, site representation, and collaborative input across the project lifecycle.

• Leading and supporting engineering tasks within a collaborative team environment.
• Producing and reviewing design documentation across the full lifecycle.
• Advising on design compliance with relevant codes, standards, and legislation.
• Representing the Technical Authority during site visits and guiding contract staff.
• Providing through-life technical support and input to design reviews and optioneering studies.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.

Essential experience

• Understanding of mechanical engineering principles for pressure/pipework systems.
• Familiarity with refit support equipment for submarine classes.
• Knowledge of the design lifecycle and applicable regulations and standards.
• Experience in one or more of the following: pressure systems, CAD, component simulation, fluid flow analysis, submarine system design.

Qualifications

• FdSc/HND or equivalent in a mechanical/process engineering discipline, or HNC with substantial relevant experience.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) 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 GOV.UK regarding clearance levels.

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. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• ‘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.

About Babcock

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

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] 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: 19/09/2025

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