First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter

Babcock International; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in Plymouth seeks a First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter to oversee a team of skilled pipe fitters. You will ensure the safe and effective delivery of complex submarine engineering projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of mechanical systems and extensive experience in maintenance and repair. We offer an attractive salary, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to health consultations

Employee share scheme

Paid leave for volunteering

Qualifications

• Proven understanding of health and safety processes in a production environment.
• Experience supervising a team or the drive to step up and learn quickly.
• Hands-on experience of repair, replacement, overhaul and maintenance methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a multi-skilled pipe fitting team.
• Plan work scopes for repair and maintenance.
• Champion health, safety and environmental practices.

Skills

Health and safety understanding

Team supervision

Mechanical systems knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Education

ONC or NVQ Level 3 in relevant mechanical discipline

ILM Level 3 or equivalent

IOSH certificate or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter

Location: Plymouth, Devon

Compensation: £40,098 + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF70737

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 First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As a First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Your leadership will help ensure assets vital to defence are readily available, safe and capable and you’ll build your own career through hands‑on responsibility, people management and exposure to cutting‑edge engineering.

Day-to-day, you’ll lead and develop a team of skilled pipe fitters delivering repairs, maintenance and upgrades on highly complex submarine engineering projects.

• Lead and motivate a multi‑skilled pipe fitting team across submarine projects, setting clear priorities and standards.
• Plan work scopes for repair, replacement, overhaul and maintenance, ensuring quality, schedule and cost performance.
• Champion health, safety and environmental practices associated with production activities, modelling safe behaviours.
• Coordinate with supervisors, engineers and stakeholders to resolve technical issues.
• Develop team capability through coaching, feedback and continuous improvement.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

Essential experience of the First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter

• Proven understanding of health and safety processes in a production environment.
• Experience supervising a team or the drive to step up and learn quickly.
• Hands‑on experience of repair, replacement, overhaul and maintenance methods.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead, motivate and communicate clearly.
• Sound knowledge of mechanical systems and pipe fitting practices.

Qualifications for the First Line Manager - Pipe Fitter

• ONC or NVQ Level 3 in a relevant mechanical discipline.
• ILM Level 3 (or equivalent leadership qualification).
• IOSH certificate (or equivalent safety qualification).

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. 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 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.

Babcock International

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

19/01/2026