Principal Obsolescence Engineer

Here's a professional review of the Principal Obsolescence Engineer job description, designed to guide potential candidates:

This opportunity for a Principal Obsolescence Engineer at Babcock International presents a significant chance to contribute to critical national infrastructure within the secure and dynamic field of satellite communications.

If you are an experienced engineer with a passion for ensuring long-term system integrity and possess strong leadership capabilities, this role offers a compelling career trajectory. The position is based in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, with attractive hybrid working arrangements, allowing for a balance between onsite collaboration and remote flexibility. This role is a full-time, permanent position.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Impactful Work: As a Principal Obsolescence Engineer on the Skynet programme, you will be instrumental in maintaining the operational capability of a vital satellite communications system. This provides a high degree of job satisfaction through direct contribution to national security.
• Leadership and Management: The role explicitly requires and offers the opportunity to manage a team. This is an excellent chance to hone your leadership skills and guide a group of engineers in tackling complex obsolescence challenges.
• Strategic Involvement: You will be actively involved in defining and implementing obsolescence mitigation strategies. This strategic element allows you to shape the long-term sustainability of a critical programme.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect to work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including the MOD customer, suppliers, and manufacturers. This fosters valuable experience in negotiation, partnership, and complex supply chain management.
• Career Development: Babcock International emphasizes excellent development opportunities. This role provides a platform to deepen your expertise in Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) / In-Service Support (IPS) and complex systems, which are highly sought-after skills in the industry.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Beyond a competitive salary, Babcock offers a robust benefits package, including a matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance, access to digital health services, an employee share scheme, and various well-being support programs.
• Hybrid Working: The hybrid working model acknowledges the importance of work-life balance, offering flexibility to manage your professional and personal commitments.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Security Clearance: A crucial requirement for this role is the ability to obtain and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance. This necessitates being a sole UK national. Candidates should be aware of the implications of nationality and residency on eligibility for this clearance.
• Experience in ILS/IPS and MOD Delivery: While experience in ILS/IPS is listed as ideal, direct experience in delivering to the UK MOD is a significant advantage. Candidates without this specific experience may need to demonstrate a strong transferability of skills from similar regulated environments.
• Technical Depth: The role demands experience with complex systems and equipment. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their background in managing the obsolescence of intricate technical components and systems.
• Educational Requirements: A HNC/HND with equivalent relevant experience is the stated qualification. Candidates should ensure their experience strongly supports their application if they do not hold these specific qualifications.
• Geographic Scope: While based in Bristol, the role involves working across multiple Babcock sites, including locations in Wiltshire and Hampshire. Candidates should consider the travel implications associated with these various locations.
• Programme Focus: This role is specifically tied to the Skynet programme. A genuine interest in and understanding of satellite communications and its associated challenges will be beneficial.

In summary, the Principal Obsolescence Engineer position at Babcock International is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a seasoned engineer looking to make a tangible impact on national security initiatives. By carefully considering the required experience, qualifications, and security requirements, interested candidates can effectively position themselves for this exciting career advancement.