Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol or Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: From £59,000 negotiable depending on experience + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF67040
At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer at our Bristol or Plymouth site.

The role
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will support our work on the Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carrier vehicle programme, following our agreement to be Patria's UK build partner. This is a high-profile opportunity to join a major defence programme, contributing to the delivery of a proven, NATO-backed platform for the British Army. This is a unique opportunity to lead innovative engineering projects that directly contribute to national security and global safety. You'll shape the future of mechanical design, working on complex systems from concept through to production, while growing your career in a dynamic and purpose-driven environment.

Day-to-day you'll be:

• Leading the mechanical design of vehicle systems, subsystems, and components
• Producing and reviewing detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and engineering documentation
• Conducting design reviews, tolerance studies, and engineering calculations
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and manufacturability
• Supporting prototype builds, testing, and validation activities

This role is full time, 37.5 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.

Essential Experience Of The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

• Extensive experience in mechanical design within the defence, automotive, or aerospace sectors
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical analysis techniques

Qualifications For The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Proficiency in 3D CAD tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA) and PLM systems

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 ) .

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 share scheme
• 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
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Babcock International
For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email with the subject header 'Reasonable adjustments requirement'. We're committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 20/10/2025