Mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Programme title: Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Level: 6

Salary: Starting at £27,381, with annual salary increases throughout the apprenticeship programme

Location: Bristol

Application closing date: 8th December 2026

Programme start date: September 2027

Role ID: 74990

Help ensure the future strength and safety of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. Over this 4-year programme, you’ll join our Submarine Support Engineering team in Bristol where you’ll play a meaningful role in engineering projects that matter, all while gaining a fully funded degree.

About the programme

From the moment you join us, you’ll become part of a team delivering vital engineering support to the UK’s defence sector. As an apprentice within Submarine Support Engineering (SSE), you will complete a structured programme of placement rotations where you’ll explore a variety of engineering teams and projects. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers across mechanical, structural and electrical disciplines, supporting a range of cutting-edge submarine projects that support both in-service platforms and those still in development.

Your typical week could include performing structural assessments, conducting analytical calculations, using engineering analysis tools, and supporting the design and assessment of systems and components to meet demanding operational and safety requirements.

During your apprenticeship, you may be involved in:

• Assessing submarine structures for explosive shock survivability;
• Conducting technical performance analyses on mechanical systems and components;

• Supporting technical investigations and feasibility studies, or;

• Taking part in platform surveys at locations such as Devonport Royal Dockyard and HM Naval Base Clyde.

Your apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to build a broad range of engineering skills, understanding design intent and experiencing lifecycle support activities across multiple disciplines. You will also gain exposure to safety cases, certification activities, capability upgrades and configuration changes that are critical to the safe and effective operation of the UK’s submarine fleet.

You will also begin using industry-standard tools and software relevant to your chosen pathway, such as Ansys, FloMASTER, MathCAD and AutoCAD. You will be supported every step of the way by experienced mentors who will help you grow your technical capability, confidence, and professional judgement.

During your apprenticeship, you will be required to complete placements outside of Bristol to ensure you fully meet the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours requirements of your apprenticeship standard, and to gain broad, practical experience across engineering disciplines.

Your education/training

As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing through the University of the West of England (UWE), accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

In year one, you’ll attend UWE’s Weston campus two days per week. From year two onward, you’ll study one day a week at the Frenchay campus. Your academic learning will cover topics such as thermofluids, structural mechanics, manufacturing technology and simulation, giving you the essential knowledge to complement your work-based learning.

Future prospects 

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to step into a role within the Submarine Support Engineering (SSE) Team as a degree-qualified Engineer.

You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.

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.

What you’ll need 

• Tariff points: 112
• GCSE: GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent (we accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths).
• A-level subjects: Grade C or above in Mathematics plus a pass in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science, Design and Technology, Electronics, Engineering, ICT, Further Mathematics, Music Technology, Physics, Statistics. Points from A-level General Studies and AS-level subjects (not taken onto full A-level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-levels.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: One of the following BTEC Diplomas: Aeronautical Engineering, Applied Science, Construction and the Built Environment, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Engineering, Land-based Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Operations and Maintenance Engineering. Must include Merit in one of the following units: Further Engineering Mathematics or Further Mathematics for Construction. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
• Access: Achievement of the HE Diploma; to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit including 15 in Mathematics and 15 in another science or technology subject. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
• Baccalaureate IB: To include a minimum grade of 5 in higher level Mathematics and a pass at higher level in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies.
• Irish Highers: H2 in Mathematics plus a pass in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, Technology.
• T Levels: Grade C in A-Level Mathematics, in addition to your T Level qualification. If you have or are looking to partially complete your T-Level, you are still required to have the equivalent to 2 full A-Levels as part of our minimum entry requirements. As a result, if you are applying with only the core or occupational specialism, this may be insufficient as a stand-alone qualification.
• 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 clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
• 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.

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:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

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 Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and important information

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 recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

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.

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