Supportability Engineering Graduate Programme

Babcock International; Bristol; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor is offering a graduate programme in Supportability Engineering in Bristol. You will work on critical defence platforms, supporting their lifecycle from design to disposal. With a minimum salary of £35,000, the role includes structured support and opportunities for personal development in a dynamic team environment. Candidates must have a STEM degree and be eligible for security clearance.

Benefits

Minimum of 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Generous pension and employee share schemes

Flexible benefits and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Ability to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance.
• Strong analytical skills to enhance system performance.
• Excellent communication skills to work with various teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the maintenance planning and preventive maintenance tasks.
• Contribute to technical documentation and material management.
• Collaborate with engineering and logistics teams to maintain system effectiveness.

Skills

Technical analysis

Logistics support analysis

Data analytics

Education

Degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths)

Job description

Overview

Supportability Engineering ensures complex and critical assets remain safe, reliable, and ready for whatever comes next. This programme offers exposure across the full product lifecycle — from early design through ongoing maintenance to responsible disposal. You’ll build a foundation across key areas of Supportability Engineering, including developing and managing technical documentation, mastering material management, and delivering Logistics Support Analysis. You’ll contribute to maintenance planning, develop preventive maintenance tasks, and use data and supportability metrics to drive smarter, more efficient system performance. Working at the intersection of engineering and logistics, you’ll apply your skills to systems that directly impact the performance and availability of some of the UK’s most critical defence platforms. The programme helps you gain insight into sustaining complex engineering assets and supports operational readiness and system effectiveness.

Whether your interests lie in technical analysis, digital systems, or broader lifecycle strategy, this programme offers the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow, preparing you for a rewarding career in Supportability Engineering.

How is the programme structured?

Over two years, you’ll experience the breadth of our work through a series of rotational placements across our Supportability Engineering teams. These placements are designed to give you exposure to different aspects of the discipline, helping you develop a well‑rounded understanding of how we support complex systems throughout their lifecycle.

Eligibility and security

Places on our Supportability programme for Autumn 2026 are available in our Marine/Nuclear sector in Bristol. To apply, you must have a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subject. Our Bristol business is a key strategic partner to our customers — the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Royal Navy. We ensure that the UK Royal Navy goes to sea safely by sustaining submarines with updates, design and documentation, upgrades and overhauls. We are developing innovative Operations Centres, technology insertion programmes, predictive data analytics and visualisation and training aids using game engine technologies. Your home base will be the Babcock Technology Centre in Bristol, where you’ll be part of a friendly team working to keep submarines safe, efficient and ready for action.

Security clearance requirements: Many graduate programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels — GOV.UK. Each placement typically lasts between four and six months and will be based in Bristol. There may also be opportunities to complete placements at other locations, such as Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth.

Development and support

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond. You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing. To support your journey toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, we offer full guidance and cover all associated fees.

Rewards and benefits

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with agile working options subject to discussion with your manager
• Generous pension and employee share schemes
• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.