Job Description

Job Title: Senior Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical
Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: 43,935 - 53,795 + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF66506
Engineer the Future of Submarine Safety
At Babcock, we're working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical at Devonport, near Plymouth, Devon.
The role
As a Senior Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical, you'll be a key player in the commissioning of Astute Class submarines during their maintenance periods. This is a high-impact role where your expertise will directly support the UK's naval defence capability and contribute to the safety and performance of our fleet.
Day to day, you'll work within a specialist team responsible for delivering design intent assurance through rigorous inspections, testing, and commissioning.

• Coordinating and developing mechanical commissioning requirements for Astute Class maintenance periods
• Representing Babcock at meetings with the Ministry of Defence and other authorities
• Supporting risk management processes and contributing to mitigation planning
• Ensuring commissioning activities meet engineering standards and safety constraints
• Providing expert guidance to internal and external stakeholders

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days in the office/onsite and days working from home.
This position is within the Submarines business unit as a Grade 5 which has a salary range of 43,935 to 53,795 with DRDL Terms and Conditions
The Commissioning Group operates an Employee Development Matrix (EDM) which allows for pay progression within Band. The EDM is a performance related competency tool assessing technical and behavioural competence which supports professional development and career progression. The target potential earnings provided the set criteria are met after 3 years in role is 48,865.
The Commissioning Group has the requirement to utilise shift working where the workload demands which attracts 18% Shift Disturbance Allowance (SDA) for a Dayshift/Backshift pattern.
Babcock at Devonport is also trialing Optimised Working Patterns (OWP) which is aiming to harmonise working arrangements for additional support beyond the standard 5 day working week. This is a voluntary arrangement which attracts a commitment allowance and additional shift rates where the demand exists from the business to utilise OWP. More information on this is available on request.
Babcock offers a supportive environment including enhanced employment terms and conditions, money purchase pension scheme with life assurance, share ownership scheme, occupational health services, flexible working hours (only non-industrials), career opportunities and specialist advice and guidance from our Learning & Development teams. Additional benefits may also apply for Management posts.
Essential experience of the Senior Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical:

• Experience working with submarine commissioning, production, and project teams
• In-depth knowledge of SSN submarine reactor, propulsion, and ship systems
• Extensive experience across full submarine maintenance projects
• Strong interpersonal and management skills with adaptability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Qualifications for the Senior Commissioning Engineer - Mechanical:

• HNC in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
• Nuclear Plant Foundation Course or equivalent (training provided)
• Nuclear Practitioner Course or equivalent
• Dockyard Nuclear Systems Course or equivalent
• Submarine Quality Assurance Course

Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) and 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
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: 17/09/2025
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Skills Required