Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year reference: 1244642901

Unlocking Your Engineering Potential: A 12-Month Placement with Babcock Defence

Are you an ambitious undergraduate seeking a transformative 12-month placement that offers real-world impact and unparalleled career development? This Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year opportunity with Babcock in Bristol presents a unique chance to immerse yourself in the critical world of naval defence and contribute to the operational readiness of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. This review aims to guide prospective candidates, highlighting the significant advantages and key considerations for your career journey.

What Awaits You: A Deep Dive into a Vital Sector

This placement is far more than just an internship; it's an integral role supporting a vital national asset. As a placement student, you will:

• Contribute to National Defence: Play a hands-on role in ensuring the safety and operational readiness of the Royal Navy's submarine fleet. This is a chance to make a tangible impact on national security.
• Collaborate with Experts: Become part of a UK-wide team of skilled engineers and subject matter experts. You'll gain exposure to a diverse group of professionals and learn from their extensive experience.
• Experience Cutting-Edge Technology: Work with and learn about cutting-edge naval technology, providing invaluable practical experience that complements your academic studies.
• Engage with Key Stakeholders: Interact directly with personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Royal Navy, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the defence ecosystem and how your contributions align with strategic objectives.
• Broaden Your Experience: The 12-month placement spans various teams, from technical engineering to project management and production. This exposure will broaden your understanding of different facets of engineering and business operations.
• Location and Collaboration: Based in Bristol, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across key Babcock sites, including Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth and HM Naval Base Clyde, fostering a nationwide perspective.

Beyond the Role: Significant Career Advantages

Babcock's commitment to your development extends far beyond the day-to-day tasks. This placement offers substantial benefits for your long-term career trajectory:

• Mentorship and Support: You will work alongside supportive colleagues and receive guidance from experienced professionals, ensuring you have the resources and support needed to thrive.
• Valuable Industry Insights: Gain a deep understanding of the defence industry, its challenges, and its innovations, setting you apart from peers with less specialized experience.
• Nurturing Fresh Perspectives: Babcock actively values the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that placement students bring, recognizing your potential to shape the future of their business.
• Potential Graduate Programme Pathway: A strong performance during your placement could lead to consideration for Babcock's graduate programme. This is a significant advantage, offering a potential springboard for a long-term career with a leading defence contractor. Your placement year can truly be the beginning of a rewarding journey.
• Skill Development: Develop a robust set of transferable skills, including technical proficiency, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and project support, which are highly sought after in any engineering discipline.

Key Considerations for Prospective Candidates

To ensure this opportunity aligns with your aspirations and eligibility, please consider the following:

• Academic Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate studying a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Maths (STEM) based degree.
• Security Clearance: This role requires you to be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Please be aware that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency history may impact your eligibility for security clearance due to Trade Control restrictions. It is advisable to review the requirements outlined by United Kingdom Security Vetting.
• Application Timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if high interest is received. To maximize your chances, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible. The application closing date is 16 October 2025, with a start date in September 2026.
• Self-Assessment: This placement is designed to be a mutual assessment. While Babcock evaluates your potential, you also have the opportunity to assess whether Babcock and a career in defence engineering are the right fit for you.

This Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year offers a compelling opportunity for driven students to gain invaluable experience, contribute to critical national defence efforts, and lay a strong foundation for their future engineering careers. If you meet the eligibility criteria and are eager to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.