Design Engineer

Job Title:                     Design Engineer

Location:                     Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation:           £45,692 + Benefits

Role Type:                   Full time / Permanent

Role ID:                       SF70356

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 Design Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As a Design Engineer, you’ll have a role working on mechanical systems that directly support the Royal Navy, from fluid and industrial gas distribution networks to water and steam systems, contributing to national security and helping shape the future of defence, aerospace and engineering.

Day-to-day, you’ll play a central role in supporting the safe operation, maintenance, and modernisation of mechanical systems across one of the largest and most complex naval dockyards in Europe.

• Develop and deliver designs in line with Babcock’s engineering lifecycle, covering start‑up, concept, scheme, detailed design and implementation phases.


• Lead or contribute to engineering teams, planning tasks, coordinating workflows and driving progress.


• Produce design documentation and supporting technical assessments, acting as lead author where appropriate.


• Provide engineering advice on design documentation, technical standards, and statutory compliance.


• Perform quality checks and, where appropriate, lead peer review of engineering work produced by others.

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

Essential experience of the Design Engineer

• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles applied to systems such as steam and condensate, industrial gases, fresh water, demineralised water and domestic water services.


• Proficiency in digital tools for engineering analysis, documentation and collaboration.


• Knowledge of relevant regulations, legislation and technical standards governing mechanical systems.


• Experience working within nuclear or other high‑hazard industries.


• Experience in commissioning and evaluating the performance of installed systems.

Qualifications for the Design Engineer

• Level 5 qualification in a mechanical engineering discipline, or a Level 4 qualification with substantial relevant experience (essential).


• Additional qualifications or professional development in mechanical design, system safety or regulated‑industry engineering would be advantageous.

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 (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

We’re Babcock — a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference.
Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance. 

We call that lifetime engineering.
Join us and see how far we can go, together.

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 [email protected] 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: 03/02/2026

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