Marine Structures Engineering Undergraduate Placement Year
// Role Summary
Gain invaluable experience in Marine Structures Engineering on an undergraduate placement year, contributing to advanced naval projects and developing critical structural assessment skills.
// Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the structural integrity and safety of submarine platforms.
- Perform structural assessments using hand calculations and FEA.
- Design and evaluate platform structures for explosive shock survivability.
- Conduct platform surveys and validation exercises at Royal Dockyards.
- Gain practical experience with industry-standard software (Ansys, MathCAD, AutoCAD).
// Role Specification
About the Role
Based at the Babcock Technology Centre in Bristol, you will be an integral part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team delivering some of the UK’s most advanced naval engineering projects. This placement offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the structural integrity and safety of submarine platforms.
You will be embedded within the Submarine Support Engineering Structures Group for the full year. Your responsibilities will encompass performing structural assessments through hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), designing and evaluating platform structures for explosive shock survivability, and conducting platform surveys and validation exercises at Devonport Royal Dockyard and HM Naval Base Clyde.
Furthermore, your role will involve supporting technical investigations, feasibility studies, and engineering trials, as well as managing structural defects and safety certifications. You will also play a part in future platform projects and capability upgrades aimed at enhancing operational performance.
What You'll Gain
Throughout the year, you’ll acquire practical experience with industry-standard software such as Ansys, MathCAD, and AutoCAD. You will also build a solid foundation in platform structures, including pressure hull collapse theory and engineering standards. To support your development, you will receive tailored mentorship and one-to-one guidance from experienced professionals dedicated to your growth.
Our placements are designed to be more than just work experience; they are an opportunity to immerse yourself in life at Babcock, form meaningful connections, and develop skills that will set you apart in your future career. You’ll work alongside supportive colleagues and receive guidance from experienced professionals every step of the way.
We value the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that placement students bring to our team and believe you have the potential to shape the future of our business. This placement is as much about you assessing what’s right for you as it is about us getting to know you. Perform well, and you could be considered for a position on our graduate programme, potentially marking the start of a long and rewarding journey with Babcock.
What You'll Need
- You must be entering your final year of a bachelor's or master's degree (BEng, MEng, Bachelor's or Master's) in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Civil Engineering, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Ship & Offshore Structures, Marine Engineering/Marine Technology, Physics, Materials Science, or Mathematics.
- Due to the nature of the role, candidates must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance.
- Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national.
Important Information
- Application closing date: 20 October 2026
- Start date: September 2027
- Location: Babcock Technology Centre, Bristol
- Applications are reviewed in the order they are received; early submission is recommended.
- Please apply to one programme only.
- We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications for adjustments or support. Contact accesshelp@babcockinternational.com for assistance.
- We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.