Armed Forces Commitment

At Babcock,

we stand side by side with the armed forces

From nuclear submarines beneath the waves, to the latest land vehicle technology, to secure communications in space; we enable them to fulfil their duty – making their mission, our mission.

We signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 and are committed to the Total Support Force concept, helping our armed forces to deliver flexible solutions around the world.

That’s why we’re a major employer of service leavers and reservists through our active recruitment approach, and why we were awarded a Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme 2015.

Babcock and recruitment

Our career opportunities are open to all members of the armed forces community, and we take huge pride in the fact that – on average – around 750 people join us in the UK every year. In fact, many of our total workforce of c.26,000 have some connection to the armed forces, whether as a service leaver, veteran, reservist, or as a member of a force’s family.

We were the winners of the ‘Best Employer’ award at the British Ex Forces in Business Awards in both 2024 and 2025, and are ranked joint 3rd in the Top 50 of Great British Employers of Veterans.

If you are a service leaver then we guarantee you an interview, as long as you meet the minimum requirements for the role. The other things that set us apart are:

Your mission is our mission:

Around 74% of our work is directed towards supporting the operational and military environment of the UK’s armed forces and its allies. We know that you understand our customers because you are our customers. If you’re looking to move away from defence then we also do important engineering and support work in civil markets too.

We are where you are:

As a critical partner to the armed forces, we’re often found at the naval, army and RAF bases you are (or were) located at. We also have offices, facilities, and client sites across the UK and beyond.

Cultural fit:

With many of our workforce being ex-military or having a military connection, you’ll never be far from people who have shared similar experiences. Many of our service leavers who have joined us remark that the cultural change in joining Babcock is not a steep one.

“There are a lot of former Royal Navy personnel working in Devonport, and with a submarine/warship background that would be expected. But there are also quite a few former members of the Army too, and it’s good to be working around other former service personnel – the work ethic is similar, and the sense of humour certainly is too!”

Brandon – Former Major, Royal Artillery

“I had been interviewed by other companies during my resettlement period but I joined Babcock as it simply had a better ‘feel’. I’ve had no regrets so far, working in the Corporate Services team means I can apply my previous experience to help benefit our employees. I’ve enjoyed the work and the community within Babcock is supportive and open to new initiatives, which is hugely important to me.”

Georgina – Former Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force

“I’m working as a Technical Trainer and as part of my job within the Royal Marines I had used some of the equipment in ‘the field’ so I could relate to real situations. Students feel reassured knowing you have used kit yourself in austere environments and not just in the classroom. My experience has also helped me to understand the customer’s needs when teaching and delivering courses.”

Steve – Former Sgt, Royal Marines

What you could be doing

We hire thousands of people every year. Below is a list of some of our most commonly recruited roles and disciplines across the business. This is not an exhaustive list – you can see all currently available roles in our job search.

Engineering

Aerospace Engineering
Asset Management
Chemical and Process Engineering
Civil and Structural Engineering and Architecture
Commissioning
Configuration Management
Digital Engineering
Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Engineering Executive Leadership
Engineering Management
Environmental Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Naval Architecture
Safety Engineering
Software Engineering
Supportability Engineering
Systems Engineering

Skilled Trades

Driving
Electrical Fitter
Electrician
Fabricator
Mechanical Fitter
Pipe Fitter
Plater
Rigger
Slinger / Crane Operator / Crane Supervisor / Appointed Person
Trades Supervisor
Vehicle Mechanic
Welder

Corporate Functions & Support

Finance
HR
Facilities Management & Maintenance
IT
Supply Chain & Logistics
Administration
Health, Safety & Environmental
Buying & Procurement

Project Management

Assistant Project Manager
Project Manager
Project Planner
Project Engineer
Commercial Manager
Programme Manager

Training & Education

Trainer
Functional Skills Trainer
Assessor

Job Search

Service leaver resettlement guide

The shift from service life to a new career is an exciting step, but it can also feel unfamiliar. So, knowing where to start can make all the difference.

Whether you’re exploring a future with Babcock or opportunities elsewhere, these hints and tips are designed to help you navigate the job‑seeking process with confidence.

They draw on the experiences of the charities and organisations we work with, our recruitment team, and service leavers who have already made the transition — people just like you — and focus on translating your strengths, understanding the landscape, and setting yourself up for success in civilian life.

Download resettlement guide

Reservists

We celebrate reservists and the incredible work they do protecting our national security and in creating a safe and secure world.

Many of our employees play an important role as reservists and dedicate their time to providing the armed forces with essential support wherever and whenever it’s needed. In fact, no company in the UK hires as many reservists as Babcock.

Due to our longstanding relationship with the armed forces, we not only understand how important it is that we support and enable our employees in their roles as reservists, but also the value of the skills and experience our reservist employees bring to their roles at Babcock.

That’s why we support reservists with up to 10 days special paid leave to cover Reserve duties so our employees don’t have to use their annual leave each year. We’ll also work with you to ensure you can actively fulfil your role as a reservist.

“Babcock helps me in my reservist role not just through extra leave for my annual training requirements but also when I need to mobilise. This year I was mobilised to NATO operations on quite short notice but the business was very supportive of this.”

Phil – Project Quality Technician at Babcock and Sub Lieutenant Amphibious Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy Reserves

“Although I’m still very early in my reservist career, I can recognise the skills that I am going to gain through training as an officer. I get the best of both worlds and maintain a work life balance between my career in Babcock and fulfilling my role as a reservist.”

Emily – Mechanical Engineering Apprentice in Babcock and Officer Cadet in the Royal Naval Reserves

Babcock’s Forces Community Network

Babcock’s Forces Community Network (BFCN) is for all those who have served in any capacity (past or present), their families and dependants.

The BFCN plays an important role in helping our people know they are not alone, and supporting them so they feel part of the Babcock family – providing advice, support and sharing about their experiences in an understanding environment.

Identify topics for events and activities of interest or benefit to network members
Raise awareness of the challenges faced by BFCN members and Babcock policies that support them
Contribute and consult on matters that may affect BFCN members in Babcock
Work with Babcock to ensure we maintain our commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant
Signpost to internal and external sources of support

Our Global Co-Chair Georgina says:

“Having transitioned from the Royal Air Force to Babcock just over a year ago, I fully appreciate the challenges that come with such a significant change. The uncertainty, the emotional and physical upheaval—it can feel much like receiving unexpected assignment orders. These transitions don’t just affect us as individuals; they ripple through our families and support networks.

At Babcock, we are deeply committed to supporting our veterans—not only during the initial transition but throughout their entire career journey with us. That’s why the Forces Network exists: to foster a strong, supportive community where we look out for one another. We also recognise the unique pressures faced by service families, especially during periods of deployment or absence, and we strive to ensure they feel equally supported. I’m proud to share that we’ve now introduced a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) Site Representative system across our locations. This initiative ensures that anyone in our community who may need additional mental health support has someone to turn to—someone who understands.”

The network is free and can be joined as soon as you start with Babcock.