Principal Commissioning Engineer

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Babcock is looking for a Principal Commissioning Engineer, Constructive to lead safe testing, setting-to-work and commissioning of nuclear submarine systems at the Devonport Royal Dockyard. On site you’ll oversee constructive and mechanical commissioning across multiple submarine projects, ensuring compliance with Nuclear Site Licence requirements, MOD Authorisation Conditions and safety standards. Essential background includes substantial commissioning experience on nuclear submarines, familiarity with Safe Systems of Work and the ability to manage several packages to time, cost and quality. Qualifications: Level 4 engineering or Level 3 with significant commissioning ops, Nuclear Practitioner Modules 1–4 and Dockyard Nuclear Systems Course. Apply with a tailored CV highlighting leadership, risk controls and SC clearance readiness, submit before 09 July 2026, and explore the benefits.

Job Title:                     Principal Commissioning Engineer

Location:                     Plymouth, Devon

Compensation:           £57,300 + Benefits

Role Type:                   Full time / Permanent

Role ID:                       SF71788

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 Commissioning Engineer - Constructive at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As a Principal Commissioning Engineer – Constructive, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. play a vital role in ensuring the safe testing, setting‑to‑work and commissioning of nuclear submarine systems. Working within our Naval Nuclear business, you’ll lead constructive and mechanical commissioning activities across multiple submarine projects, helping to return these vital national defence assets safely back into service.

Day-to-day, you’ll be responsible for ensuring systems are operated, controlled and commissioned in alignment with Nuclear Site Licence requirements, Ministry of Defence Authorisation Conditions and all relevant safety legislation.

• Oversee the safe operation and control of mechanical plant and processes, ensuring full compliance with nuclear safety regulations and MOD Authorisation Conditions.
• Prepare and authorise Test Documentation to meet project programme requirements, aligned with corporate standards.
• Promote and uphold a strong safety culture, ensuring safety documentation and Safe Systems of Work are understood and executed effectively.
• Provide day‑to‑day management of constructive staff and support the Manager of Trials to drive development and resource planning.
• Lead and develop your commissioning section to deliver high‑quality testing, setting‑to‑work and commissioning activities to time, cost and quality standards.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

Essential experience of the Principal Commissioning Engineer - Constructive

• Substantial knowledge and experience of commissioning, operating and maintaining constructive/mechanical systems on nuclear submarines.
• Strong understanding of Safe Systems of Work, safe release of systems and the Control of Work process.
• Knowledge of relevant Licence Conditions, Operating Rules and Operating Instructions relating to nuclear commissioning.
• Ability to manage multiple complex commissioning packages across several projects simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, planning, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work to a consistently high standard.

Qualifications for the Principal Commissioning Engineer - Constructive

• Level 4 qualification in an engineering discipline, or Level 3 qualification with significant commissioning operations experience.
• Nuclear Practitioner Course Module 1–4 (or equivalent).
• Dockyard Nuclear Systems Course (or equivalent).

• Additional professional development aligned to nuclear, mechanical or constructive engineering - Desirable

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).

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 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

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: 09/07/2026

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