Chief Engineer - Propulsion
As a Chief Engineer - Propulsion, you will lead technical excellence across the UK's most critical defence assets. This high‑impact leadership role is within the newly formed Platform Systems Technical Authority (PSTA), where you will shape the future of propulsion systems and drive improvements in technical approval, risk mitigation, and assurance. You will hold full technical delegations, act on behalf of the Chief Engineer - Submarines, and lead the waterfront Assistant Chief Engineer team. Your work will directly influence the safety, compliance, and performance of the Nuclear Steam Raising Plant (NSRP) and secondary propulsion systems during major maintenance periods.
Essential Experience
- Demonstrable experience in submarine engineering
- Expertise in nuclear engineering and reactor operations
- Proven leadership in technical risk management and assurance
- Strong stakeholder engagement across MOD and technical authorities
- Experience in managing complex engineering projects
Responsibilities
- Leading requirements management to ensure engineering outcomes meet regulatory and safety standards
- Managing technical risks and implementing forward‑looking mitigations
- Conducting technical reviews and developing repair schemas aligned with policy
- Driving assurance and acceptance processes with MOD QA and Design Authorities
- Overseeing engineering readiness and inspections to ensure delivery excellence
Qualifications
- Level 6 qualification in Engineering
- Chartered Engineer status
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).
Benefits
- 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 employees to buy additional leave or 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.
Company
Babcock International has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world for over a century. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.
Work Arrangement
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.