Supportability Engineering

What will you do on the programme?

Supportability Engineering ensures complex and critical assets remain safe, reliable, and ready for whatever comes next. On this graduate programme, you’ll gain experience across the full product lifecycle – from early design through ongoing maintenance to responsible disposal.

You’ll build a strong foundation across key areas of Supportability Engineering, including developing and managing technical documentation, mastering material management, and delivering Logistics Support Analysis. You’ll also contribute to maintenance planning, develop preventive maintenance tasks, and use data and supportability metrics to drive smarter, more efficient system performance.

Working at the intersection of engineering and logistics, you’ll apply your skills to systems that directly impact the performance and availability of some of the UK’s most critical defence platforms. You’ll be involved in projects that support operational readiness and system effectiveness, gaining insight into the challenges of sustaining complex engineering assets.

Whether your interests lie in technical analysis, digital systems, or broader lifecycle strategy, this programme offers the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow, preparing you for a rewarding career in Supportability Engineering.

How is the programme structured?

Over two years, you’ll experience the breadth of our work through a series of rotational placements across our Supportability Engineering teams. These placements are designed to give you exposure to different aspects of the discipline, helping you develop a well-rounded understanding of how we support complex systems throughout their lifecycle.

Each placement typically lasts between four and six months and will be based in Bristol. There may also be opportunities to complete placements at other locations, such as Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth.

How do we develop and support you?

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.

You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.

To support your journey toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, we offer full guidance and cover all associated fees.

Development and support

What’s waiting for you after the programme?

Upon completing the programme, you’ll transition into a permanent role within our Engineering Function. But your journey doesn’t stop there – you’ll receive ongoing support to develop into a professionally registered Senior Engineer, ready to take on greater responsibilities.

As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

Supportability Engineering at Babcock

What rewards and benefits will you get?

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.

Rewards and benefits

What do you need to apply?

You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a BEng or MEng in any Engineering discipline.
Many of our programmes 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 programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Security Check (SC) and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.

Where will you be based?

Places on our Supportability Engineering programme for September 2027 are available in our Nuclear sector in Bristol

While you’ll join a specific business area and location, placements at different sites across the UK are possible. Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on-site multiple times a week. We encourage flexibility and openness to relocation throughout the programme and will consider your personal circumstances when arranging placements.

Nuclear – Bristol

Our business in Bristol is a key strategic partner to our customers — the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Royal Navy. We ensure that the UK Royal Navy goes to sea safely by sustaining the submarines with updates, design and documentation, upgrades and overhauls. We are developing innovative Operations Centres, technology insertion programmes, predictive data analytics and visualisation and training aids using games engine technologies.

Your home base will be the Babcock Technology Centre in Bristol, where you’ll be part of a team working to keep submarines safe, efficient and ready for action.

Current openings in
Supportability Engineering

Application guidance

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.