Key Takeaways
- Develop specialist skills in nuclear engineering, mechanical systems, safety, and project delivery.
- Starting salary of £33,900 per year, plus benefits.
- Gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced engineers and nuclear professionals.
- Requires an ONC or equivalent in engineering and an NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
- Applications close on 19/11/2026.
About the Role
As a Trainee Reactor Engineer, you’ll join our Naval Nuclear team and play a vital role in supporting the safe maintenance, refit, and operation of reactor systems that are critical to the UK's submarine fleet. This is an exciting opportunity to develop specialist skills in nuclear engineering, mechanical systems, safety, and project delivery within one of the most highly regulated and technically advanced environments in the country.
Day-to-day, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers and nuclear professionals, gaining hands-on experience while building a rewarding career that contributes directly to national security. Whether you're looking to develop your existing engineering knowledge or take the next step into the nuclear sector, this role offers outstanding opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and long-term career progression.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinating reactor mechanical work packages to support major maintenance and refit programmes.
- Supporting the creation, planning, and execution of nuclear procedures and production activities.
- Acting as a Responsible Officer for radiologically implicated equipment when required.
- Ensuring personnel are suitably qualified, experienced, and equipped to undertake allocated tasks safely.
- Maintaining compliance with health, safety, and nuclear safety requirements across all activities.
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.
Essential Experience
- Experience working within an engineering, manufacturing, defence, military, or similarly regulated environment.
- Understanding of health, safety, and nuclear safety principles.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively within a diverse team.
- Understanding of mechanical engineering processes and complex engineering systems.
- Ability and willingness to work onboard submarines, within confined spaces, and in radiological controlled areas.
Qualifications
- ONC (Ordinary National Certificate) or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.
- NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be 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 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. This Window opens February through to March annually.
- ‘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