Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: Various Sites – Hybrid Working
Compensation: £59,110 – £72,337
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF69730
Shape the Future of Naval Engineering
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 any of our main UK locations, near major commuter hubs across the country.
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of naval defence. You’ll lead the technical delivery of power and propulsion system design — from early‑stage concept development through to integration, construction, and in‑service support. This is an opportunity to influence major engineering programmes that strengthen national security, protect communities, and push the boundaries of marine innovation.
You’ll be joining an agile, multidisciplinary environment alongside experts in Naval Architecture, Marine Structures, and Safety Engineering. With continuous exposure to high‑profile ship build and in‑service programmes, including the Type 31 Frigate and Arrowhead classes, your work will make a visible impact while accelerating your professional growth and leadership capability.
Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:
- Leading and supporting the Power and Propulsion engineering team, providing clear technical direction and design oversight.
- Delivering complex technical solutions and acting as a trusted technical interface for customers and partners.
- Supporting new ship build and in‑service engineering programmes with high‑quality mechanical engineering expertise.
- Producing and managing technical documentation to meet regulatory, classification, and industry standards.
- Mentoring colleagues and driving continuous improvement across engineering activities.
This role is full time, based at any of our main UK locations. Hybrid working patterns are available, with a blend of onsite and remote working to support your work‑life balance.
Essential experience of the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Strong background in naval or marine engineering, with detailed knowledge of power and propulsion systems.
- Proven experience producing, reviewing, and approving engineering deliverables.
- Ability to interpret and apply engineering procedures, codes, and classification society rules.
- Familiarity with systems analysis tools and 2D/3D CAD software.
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Degree in Mechanical, Marine, or a related engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status with a relevant professional institution (e.g., RINA, IMechE, IMarEST, IET).
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is 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 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. There is an annual Window to request this benefit. ‘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.
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 careers@babcockinternational.com 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: 24/03/2026
#ARROW-140-MAR-ENG.