Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Commissioning Engineering

Programme title: Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship – Commissioning Engineering
Level: SCQF Level 10

Salary:

Year 1: £18,819

Year 2: £22,857

Year 3: £26,884

Year 4: £32,261

Location: Rosyth, Scotland

Application closing date: 8th December 2026

Programme start date: September 2027

Role ID:  74978

Our 4-year Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeship is your opportunity to start an engineering career with purpose. You’ll contribute to some of the UK’s most important defence programmes while working towards a BEng (Hons) degree and building a rewarding career in Commissioning Engineering.

About the programme 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a skilled team working on real-world projects, including the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates and the maintenance of Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. You’ll specialise in either Power Engineering or Control and Instrumentation, supporting commissioning and performance testing activities across electrical and control systems.

Day-to-day, you’ll be involved in a wide variety of work – from troubleshooting faults and analysing data to integrating systems and contributing to test schedules. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you’ll learn how to apply commissioning procedures safely and effectively while developing key engineering behaviours like adaptability, attention to detail and professionalism.

This apprenticeship will allow you to build your knowledge of marine engineering fundamentals, health and safety practices, and industry standards. You’ll also gain experience with technical tools and software while collaborating with expert engineers who are passionate about your development. 

Your education/training 

As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for the BEng (Hons) Engineering (Design and Manufacture) through Glasgow Caledonian University.

You’ll attend university through blended learning, typically 1–2 days per week during term time. Over the four years, you’ll follow a specialist stream in either Control and Instrumentation or Electrical Power Engineering Design, aligned with your role and career goals.

The course is co-designed with industry and accredited by the IET, IMechE and InstMC, giving you a strong foundation for professional recognition.

Future prospects 

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have the skills needed to step into a Commissioning Engineer role at Babcock.

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 

• UCAS Tariff: 96 points.
• Scottish Highers: BBCC or equivalent, including Maths and a science or technology subject.
• We also accept:

• Relevant Foundation Apprenticeships (counting as one Higher at grade B), in combination with SQA Highers.
• Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 in a related subject (equivalent to two Highers at B), in combination with SQA Highers.
• HNC in Electrical, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering.

• You must be resident in Scotland, as Graduate Apprenticeships are only available to individuals living and working in Scotland.
• This role requires on-site attendance. By your start date, you must be able to reliably commute to the site. This will normally require living within a reasonable commuting distance of Rosyth or relocating before you join us. 
• 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) and Security Check (SC) security 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 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.

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.