Key Takeaways
- Undertake a 5-year Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship with a focus on Safety Engineering.
- Earn a starting salary of £27,381, with annual increases, and gain a fully funded BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing from UWE.
- Work with the Submarine Support Engineering (SSE) team in Bristol, supporting the Ministry of Defence and gaining experience with safety engineering tools.
- Applications close on 8th December 2026, with a programme start date in September 2027.
About the Role
As a Safety Engineering Degree Apprentice within our Submarine Support Engineering (SSE) team, you'll gain experience across a variety of engineering teams and projects. Supported by experienced engineers, you'll develop an understanding of how safety is managed throughout the engineering lifecycle while building your technical capability, confidence and professional judgement.
Your typical week could include conducting hazard identification and analysis, assessing the ability of submarine systems to perform their safety functions, and evaluating risks to personnel and platforms. You'll also support the design and assessment of systems and components to meet demanding operational and safety requirements.
During your apprenticeship, you may be involved in activities such as updating Safety Cases, supporting design reviews and safety assessments, developing Bow Tie models of platform hazards, collating evidence to support certification, undertaking technical investigations and feasibility studies, and participating in platform surveys at locations including Devonport Royal Dockyard and HM Naval Base Clyde.
You'll develop a broad range of engineering skills while gaining experience with industry-standard safety engineering tools, including BowTieXP, Adelard Safety Case Environment and Reliability Workbench. You may also complete placements outside Bristol to broaden your experience and support your development.
Your Education/Training
As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing through the University of the West of England (UWE), accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
In year one, you'll attend UWE's campus two days per week, and from year two you'll study there one day per week. Your academic learning will cover topics such as thermofluids, structural mechanics, manufacturing technology, simulation and process safety, giving you the essential knowledge to complement your work-based learning.
In addition, you will receive training in safety engineering techniques each year throughout your apprenticeship. These courses will be delivered at either Babcock's Bristol or Devonport sites and count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Topics may include risk analysis and ALARP principles, Bow Tie analysis, fault tree and event tree analysis, hazard identification, and safety case writing.
Future Prospects
By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to step into a role within the Submarine Support Engineering (SSE) team as a degree-qualified Safety Engineer.
You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer; a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Safety Engineer.
What You’ll Need
- Entry Requirements:
- 112 tariff points.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent (Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths accepted).
- A-level subjects: Grade C or above in Mathematics plus a pass in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science, Design and Technology, Electronics, Engineering, ICT, Further Mathematics, Music Technology, Physics, Statistics. Minimum of two A-levels required.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: Specific BTEC Diplomas listed, requiring Merit in Further Engineering Mathematics or Further Mathematics for Construction.
- Access: HE Diploma achievement, including 30 Level 3 credits at Merit (15 in Mathematics, 15 in science/technology).
- Baccalaureate IB: Minimum grade of 5 in higher level Mathematics and a pass at higher level in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Physics, or Environmental Systems and Societies.
- Irish Highers: H2 in Mathematics plus a pass in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, or Technology.
- T Levels: Grade C in A-Level Mathematics, in addition to T Level qualification. Equivalent to 2 full A-Levels required.
- Security Clearance: Must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Security Check (SC) and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) clearance. Sole UK national required.
What You’ll Get
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal
- Opportunity to get involved in STEM outreach and volunteering.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received and may close earlier than advertised if there is high interest. It is recommended to submit applications and complete online assessments as soon as possible.
Apply to one programme only. If multiple applications are received, the first one submitted will be assessed.
Babcock is a Disability Confident Employer and will provide support or adjustments during the recruitment process if requested.