Chief Engineer

Opportunity Review: Chief Engineer - Submarine Build Programme

This Chief Engineer role within Babcock International presents a compelling opportunity for experienced engineering leaders looking to make a significant impact on a critical national defence programme. Operating within the Nuclear Sector and specifically the submarine build programme, this position offers a chance to shape the future of defence engineering.

Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Leadership: You will be at the forefront of engineering strategy, providing leadership across the Nuclear Sector. This includes direct participation as a member of the joint design authority for the next SSN delivery programme, offering a unique and influential position.
• End-to-End Engineering Lifecycle Involvement: The role encompasses the full engineering lifecycle, from initial conception through to end-to-end support. This provides a holistic view and the ability to influence all stages of project delivery.
• Impactful Work: Contributing to a safe and secure world through your work on defence programmes is a significant professional advantage. This role offers the chance to play a vital part in a mission-critical undertaking.
• Hybrid Working Flexibility: With arrangements allowing for 2 days in the office/onsite, this role offers a degree of flexibility in managing your work-life balance. The ability to be based at various Babcock sites or the Barrow shipyard adds further geographic consideration.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Babcock offers a competitive salary coupled with a robust benefits package. This includes a matched contribution pension, life assurance, access to a Digital GP, an employee share scheme, and generous holiday allowances.
• Professional Development: The company highlights excellent development opportunities and supports professional growth, including payment of professional fees and access to an employee assistance programme for holistic wellbeing support.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Babcock actively promotes an inclusive culture and is a disability-confident committed employer. They are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Extensive Experience Required: This is a senior leadership position demanding significant experience in inclusive leadership within the Nuclear or other safety-critical industries. A proven track record in engineering leadership and stakeholder management is essential.
• Nuclear Sector Focus: While experience in other safety-critical industries is valued, specific knowledge of the nuclear sector, particularly submarine in-service support and its deployment at Clyde and/or Devonport, is a strong requirement.
• Travel Requirements: While hybrid working is offered, candidates should be prepared for frequent travel to Barrow and Bristol, and be flexible to travel across a range of Babcock sites as business needs dictate.
• Security Clearance: A critical aspect of this role is the ability to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Eligibility for this will be assessed based on nationality, place of birth, and residency history.
• Chartered Engineer Status: A degree in Engineering or a related field, membership in a recognised professional engineering institution, and Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent professional standing) are essential qualifications.
• Executive-Level Communication: The role necessitates strong executive-level communication, stakeholder engagement, and inter-personal skills to effectively lead teams and collaborate across the organisation.

Career Path Guidance:

For engineers with a strong foundation in safety-critical environments and a desire for impactful leadership, this Chief Engineer role offers a significant step up. It's an opportunity to hone strategic leadership skills, deepen expertise in a highly specialized sector, and contribute to projects of national importance. Candidates who thrive in complex, regulated environments and possess excellent communication and problem-solving abilities will find this a rewarding challenge. The emphasis on end-to-end lifecycle management also provides invaluable experience for those aspiring to broader executive engineering roles in the future.