Principal Obsolescence Engineer

Babcock International; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and engineering company is seeking a Principal Obsolescence Engineer based in Bristol with hybrid working arrangements. Responsibilities include managing obsolescence risks and providing technical support. Candidates should have experience with ILS/IPS and managing obsolescence processes, along with strong communication and leadership skills. Must be a sole UK national suitable for Security Check clearance.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

Volunteer leave

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience delivering to the UK MOD.
• Ability to manage teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team to assess obsolescence risks.
• Own the obsolescence process including forecasting.
• Collaborate with MOD and suppliers for alternatives.
• Provide technical support on obsolescence issues.
• Support development of mitigation strategies.

Skills

ILS/IPS experience

Managing obsolescence processes

Complex systems familiarity

Communications skills

Leadership experience

Education

HNC/HND or equivalent relevant experience

Job description

Job Title: Principal Obsolescence Engineer

Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF68646

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 Principal Obsolescence Engineer across our multiple Bristol sites including Babcock Technology Centre - Bristol, Ashton Vale – Bristol, Hawthorn - Wiltshire and Oakhanger - Hampshire.

The Role

As the Principal Obsolescence Engineer on the Skynet programme, you will be responsible for managing the obsolescence of components and systems to ensure the continued operational capability of the Skynet satellite communications system.

The Principal Obsolescence Engineer will work closely with engineering teams, suppliers, and customers to identify and mitigate obsolescence risks, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the programme.

• Manage a team to identify and assess obsolescence risks for components and systems.
• Own and manage the obsolescence process including forecasting and analysis to predict future risks and contribute to overall system availability modelling.
• Collaborate with MOD customer, suppliers and manufacturers to source alternative components and solutions.
• Provide technical support and advice on obsolescence issues to engineering change process and stakeholders.
• Support the development of obsolescence mitigation strategies and plans.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days onsite and days working from home. You will be working across our multiple Bristol sites including Babcock Technology Centre - Bristol, Ashton Vale – Bristol, Hawthorn - Wiltshire and Oakhanger – Hampshire.

Essential Experience of the Principal Obsolescence Engineer

• You’ll need previous experience in ILS/IPS, ideally with experience of delivering to the UK MOD.
• Experience in managing or delivering obsolescence processes.
• Experience of complex systems and equipment.
• Good knowledge of ILS standards
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Leadership and management experience of teams.

Qualifications for the Principal Obsolescence Engineer

• HNC/HND with equivalent relevant experience.

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.

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: 14/11/2025

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