Programme title: Electrical and Electronic Engineer Degree Apprenticeship
Level: 6
Salary: Starting at £27,381, with annual salary increases throughout the apprenticeship programme
Location: Devonport, Plymouth
Application closing date: 8th December 2026
Programme start date: September 2027
Role ID: 74964
Join Babcock as an Electrical and Electronic Engineer Degree Apprentice and, over the course of our four-year programme, you’ll work towards a BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering while contributing to projects that support national security. You'll learn from experienced professionals, gain valuable practical experience and help deliver work that creates a safer, more secure world.
About the programme
Based at Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, you'll join a targeted development programme designed to prepare you for a career in electrical and electronic engineering.
Depending on your role, you could join the Facilities Engineering Group, supporting the control systems and assets that underpin Devonport's critical infrastructure, or the Marine Electrical Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) and Mission Systems (MS) Group, working on electrical and control systems across a diverse range of platforms, including ships, submarines and land-based facilities.
Within the Facilities Engineering Group, you'll support and develop the electrical systems that power critical facilities and infrastructure across the dockyard. From fault-finding and technical investigations to designing and implementing new solutions, you'll help keep essential operations running safely and efficiently. You'll gain experience across the full lifecycle of engineering systems, developing expertise in areas such as power distribution, standby generation, SCADA systems, building services and energy monitoring.
Within the Marine EC&I and MS Group, you'll gain exposure to the full engineering lifecycle, from concept and design through to implementation and in-service support. You'll develop experience across a range of electrical and electronic engineering disciplines, including power systems, control and instrumentation, navigation and communications, mission systems, surveys and inspection, helping you build a broad understanding of marine engineering systems.
Across either route, you'll develop the technical knowledge and practical engineering experience needed to build your career in a complex and highly regulated environment.
Your education/training
As part of your apprenticeship, you'll study for a BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree through the University of Exeter.
Delivered through a block-release study model, the degree covers topics including mathematics, mechanics, electronics, and engineering design, providing a strong foundation across a broad range of engineering disciplines.
Alongside your studies, you'll complete placements across engineering teams at Devonport, applying your learning to real projects while benefiting from dedicated technical training, mentoring and support from experienced engineers.
You'll need to be able to work on site at Devonport for a minimum of three days per week and live within a reasonable commuting distance. Throughout the programme, you'll attend the University of Exeter on a block-release basis.
Future prospects
By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll be equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to progress into an Electrical and Electronic Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer or Electrical Power Systems Engineer role at Devonport.
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
- You'll need one of the following:
- 3 A Levels at ABB or above, including Maths
- T Level Distinction in an engineering related subject (Grade C or above in the core component)
- BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in an engineering related subject
- Equivalent qualifications may also be considered.
- 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 (NNPI) 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.
#babdestnuc
