Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Starting Salary from £59,110 dependent upon experience + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF65708

Lead the Future of Engineering Excellence

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 Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site, near Plymouth, Devon.

The role

As a Principal Engineer, you’ll be at the forefront of engineering innovation in defence, aerospace and engineering. You’ll lead multidisciplinary design consultancy projects and provide expert technical support for mechanical handling systems, ensuring the safe, compliant and effective operation of cranes, hauling systems and lifting equipment across our site.

Day-to-day, you’ll provide technical support and design consultancy for non-nuclear and nuclear mechanical handling assets at Devonport Dockyard, including cranes, hauling systems and lifting equipment, ensuring safe, compliant and effective operation across site activities.

Providing technical guidance to maintain the design intent of mechanical handling systems

Leading design consultancy projects for new systems, modifications and life extension initiatives

Delivering engineering solutions that enhance capability and safety

Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation

Ensuring compliance with safety-critical and nuclear standards

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2 days in the office/onsite and 3 days working from home.

Essential experience of the Principal Engineer

Proven experience in a senior engineering role

Expertise in design and substantiation of components and systems

Skilled in hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA)

Proficient in engineering drawings and 3D modelling (preferably Inventor)

Knowledge of nuclear or safety-critical environments

Qualifications for the Principal Engineer

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience

Chartered Engineer status is desirable

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) 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

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 the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement

‘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 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: 06/11/2025

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