Mechanical Design Engineer

Babcock International; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday

Pension & life cover

Digital GP access

Employee share scheme

Discount portal

Professional fees paid

Reservist leave

Volunteer day

Job summary

Babcock is recruiting a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to deliver complex mechanical system designs for UK submarine fleet settings. You'll oversee the full engineering lifecycle from concept through to decommissioning, ensuring safety and regulatory conformity on major programmes at the Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

You'll lead technical activities, provide expert guidance, conduct site visits, and coordinate engineers while maintaining a strong focus on safety and national security

Qualifications

• Experience leading mechanical designs across full lifecycles.
• Ability to provide expert advice on mechanical systems and compliance.
• Experience conducting site visits and through-life performance support.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design across full project lifecycle.
• Provide expert guidance on compliance and standards.
• Conduct site visits and surveys to support performance.
• Manage engineers and coordinate work progress.
• Produce and review design, safety and substantiation documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design leadership

Full project lifecycle

Regulatory compliance

Site surveys

Technical guidance

Education

Level 6 qualification in mechanical engineering

Chartered/registered with IMechE or IET (desirable)

Job description

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 Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site., As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering complex mechanical system designs that directly support the United Kingdom's submarine fleet. From fluid systems and industrial gases to large-scale pipework infrastructure, your work will contribute to critical defence programmes with a clear, visible impact. Day-to-day, you'll have the unique opportunity to be involved in the full engineering lifecycle-from concept design through to implementation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning. You'll lead technical activities, provide expert engineering guidance, and ensure compliance with rigorous safety and regulatory standards in a highly regulated environment. Working on major programmes across Devonport, you'll see your designs come to life on-site while developing your career across diverse, technically challenging projects.

Essential experience of the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

• Leading the development and delivery of mechanical designs across the full project lifecycle
• Providing expert advice on mechanical systems, compliance, and engineering standards
• Conducting site visits, surveys and supporting through-life system performance
• Managing and supporting engineers, coordinating work and driving technical progress
• Producing and reviewing design, safety and substantiation documentation. This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with a minimum of 2 days in the office/onsite.

Qualifications for the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

• Level 6 qualification in a mechanical engineering discipline, or Level 5 with significant relevant experience (essential)
• Professionally registered with a recognised engineering institution such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers or Institution of Engineering and Technology - 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. We're Babcock - a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you'll be part of something bigger. 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. Join us and see how far we can go, together. 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 .

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. There is an annual Window to request this benefit. '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.