Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year

Babcock International; Leicester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Babcock International’s Cavendish Nuclear division offers a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year in Leicester starting September 2027 with a salary of £26,784. This placement provides hands-on experience in delivering mechanical solutions for major nuclear programmes.

You will support calculations, review technical documentation, assist with design substantiation and safety case development, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on equipment upgrades and decommissioning,

Qualifications

• Studying an accredited engineering degree in Mechanical, Structural, Materials, Motorsport, Mechatronics or Engine Systems.
• Must be able to achieve BPSS and Security Check clearance.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, assessment and delivery of mechanical systems for major nuclear programmes.
• Support engineering calculations and produce technical documentation.
• Assist with design substantiation, safety case development and cross-disciplinary activities.

Skills

Security clearance BPSS/SC

Education

Engineering degree (accredited)

Job description

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year

Programme title: Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year

Salary: £26,784

Location: Radar Road, Leicester

Application closing date: 20 October 2026

Start date: September 2027

Role ID: 74748

What you’ll do

Join our Cavendish Nuclear business for a Mechanical Engineering Placement Year and play a key role in delivering safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear solutions that support the UK’s clean energy future.

During your placement year, you’ll contribute to the design, assessment and delivery of mechanical systems used across major nuclear programmes, while gaining strong understanding of project delivery and the role mechanical engineers play in supporting critical national infrastructure.

You’ll support engineering calculations, produce and review technical documentation, assist with design substantiation and safety case development, and work closely with multidisciplinary teams. You may also contribute to activities such as equipment upgrades, decommissioning, plant modifications and new build support.

This role offers exposure to technically challenging projects, alongside industry standards and nuclear safety requirements, and insight into how engineering principles are applied in practice.

As your confidence and capability grow, you’ll take on increasing responsibility and contribute more independently to project work. You’ll also build an understanding of professional engineering standards, helping to prepare you for future progression towards IEng or CEng status after graduation.

What you’ll need

• You must be studying an engineering degree in one of the following disciplines: Mechanical, Structural, Materials, Motorsport, Mechatronics or Engine Systems. Our preference is that your degree is also accredited by the relevant institution.

• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels'.

Application process and important information

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there's a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We’re a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

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.

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