Principal Marine Structures Engineer

Babcock International; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Plymouth is seeking a Principal Marine Structures Engineer to lead design initiatives for advanced naval projects. You will mentor teams and ensure compliance with classification rules while working in a hybrid model. The ideal candidate has a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering and extensive experience in ship design. Join us to contribute to national security and global maritime capability.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

Volunteering leave

Excellent development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a design team as part of a ship design project or technical ship management.
• Strong knowledge of classification society rules and naval architecture principles.
• Ability to manage complex engineering projects and mentor junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Determine hull girder strength and global/local loads using classification society rules.
• Design and substantiate equipment seatings and foundations to meet military and commercial requirements.
• Prepare and approve specifications, technical reports, and substantiation calculations.
• Lead design teams and liaise with production and stakeholders.
• Drive innovative design solutions and ensure health and safety compliance.

Job description

Job Title: Principal Marine Structures Engineer

Location: Devonport, Plymouth

Compensation: £59,110 - £72,337

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF69699

Lead the Future of Naval Design – Join Us as a Principal Marine Structures Engineer

About Us: At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Marine Structures Engineer at Devonport, near Plymouth, Devon.

The role

As a Principal Marine Structures Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You’ll be at the heart of our complex shipbuilding programmes, developing designs through concept and early-stage design and supporting the bidding process for major naval projects. Your work will shape the next generation of frigates and other advanced vessels, contributing to national security and global maritime capability.

You’ll join a national team of over 500 engineers and designers within Babcock’s Marine Sector, working on projects that matter. This is your opportunity to lead innovative design solutions, mentor teams, and influence the future of naval architecture while advancing your own career in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:

• Determine hull girder strength and global/local loads using classification society rules and regulations.
• Design and substantiate equipment seatings and foundations to meet military and commercial requirements.
• Prepare and approve specifications, technical reports, and substantiation calculations.
• Lead design teams and liaise with production teams, classification societies, and stakeholders.
• Drive innovative design solutions and ensure health, safety, and environmental compliance.

This role is full time and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2 days in the office/onsite and 3 days working from home.

Essential experience of the Principal Marine Structures Engineer:

• Proven experience leading a design team as part of a ship design project or technical ship management.
• Strong knowledge of classification society rules and naval architecture principles.
• Ability to manage complex engineering projects and mentor junior engineers.

Qualifications for the Principal Marine Structures Engineer:

• Degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering (HND/HNC with extensive experience considered).
• Chartered Engineer status and membership of a relevant institution (e.g., RINA, IMarEst).

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 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: 09/12/2025

#ARROW-140-MAR-ENG.