On our Nuclear Safety Engineering and Operations programme, you’ll learn how nuclear and radiological facilities are safely managed and maintained to support the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

Throughout the programme you’ll learn to identify, analyse, and mitigate potential hazards, failures, and faults, ensuring the highest safety standards. Along the way, you’ll expand your knowledge of production, project management, design, and safety.

Nuclear Safety Engineering and Operations at Babcock

This programme is designed to give you a broad education in nuclear safety engineering and operational safety management.

You’ll undertake diverse placements across the business, working on a variety of projects. You’ll receive training from industry experts, including safety case authors, plant managers, operations managers, human factors consultants, and engineers from all disciplines. Additionally, you’ll collaborate with radiation protection advisors and environmental management specialists, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the field.

By the end of the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in either Nuclear Safety or Plant Management, aligning your career path to your interests and aspirations.

What you'll need

  • You’ll need a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subject.
  • Many of our early careers roles are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which roles you are eligible for. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). For our early careers roles, you must be able to achieve BPSS and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.

What you'll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. In addition, you’ll benefit from:

  • A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with agile working options subject to discussion with your manager
  • Generous pension and employee share schemes
  • Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
  • Employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.

Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Graduate Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partner Gen Healthy Minds, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Where you'll be based

Places on our Nuclear Safety Engineering and Operations programme for Autumn 2025 are available in Plymouth.

Our business in Plymouth works in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Royal Navy at HM Naval Base Devonport. We provide through-life support for submarines, surface ships and associated systems and equipment as part of our continuing commitment to support our nation’s naval capability.

Depending on your programme, your home base could be Devonport Royal Dockyard, Plymouth. However, some of your placements may be at other sites.

Closing dates

Please be aware that if there is a high level of interest in this programme, applications may close earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered for a place on this programme, please submit your application as early as possible.

Making your application

We offer a diverse range of early careers programmes. Please explore your options and select the programme that best aligns with your passions and interests. Choose carefully, as only one application can be reviewed per cycle.

If you submit multiple applications, only the first one received will be considered. If the programme you apply for is oversubscribed, we’ll transfer your application to another programme you are eligible for and interested in.