Job Description

Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: Devonport, Plymouth, Rosyth, Fife, Bristol
Compensation: 59,110 - 72,337
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF69730
Shape the Future of Naval Engineering - Join Us as a Principal Mechanical Engineer
About Us
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 Mechanical Engineer at one of our Babcock sites.
The role
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll have a role that's out of the ordinary. You will lead the technical aspects of power and propulsion system design from conceptual design through integration to construction and in-service support. This is your chance to work on complex mechanical systems integration, delivering innovative engineering solutions within a multidisciplinary team that includes Naval Architecture, Marine Structures, and Safety Engineering.
You'll join a forward-thinking, agile environment that fosters professional growth and career progression. This role offers the opportunity to lead impactful engineering work while developing your expertise within a supportive and dynamic team.
Day-to-day, you'll have the following responsibilities:

• Lead and support the Power and Propulsion engineering team, providing technical direction and design oversight.
• Oversee delivery of complex technical solutions and act as a key point of contact for customers.
• Provide engineering support to new ship build projects and in-service programs, including Type 31 Frigate and Arrowhead.
• Produce and manage technical documentation, ensuring compliance with codes and standards.
• Mentor others and drive continuous improvement across projects.

This role is full time and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2 days in the office/onsite and 3 days working from home.
Essential experience of the Principal Mechanical Engineer:

• Significant experience in naval or marine engineering projects, with deep knowledge of power and propulsion systems.
• Expertise in producing, reviewing, and approving detailed engineering outputs.
• Skilled in applying relevant procedures, codes, and classification society standards.
• Familiarity with systems analysis tools and CAD software (2D/3D).

Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer:

• Degree in Marine, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline (Master's desirable).
• Chartered Engineer status and membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g., RINA, IMechE, IMarEst, IET).

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 .
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 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: 12/01/2026
#ARROW-140-MAR-ENG.

Skills Required