Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineering Graduate Programme

Designs, upgrades and maintains electrical, control and instrumentation systems supporting Royal Navy submarines and naval facilities, including power distribution, automation, fire alarms and CCTV.

What will you do on the programme? 

Join our Electrical, Control and Instrumentation (E,C&I) Engineering Graduate Programme and help power the Royal Navy’s fleet at Devonport, Western Europe’s largest naval base. As an EC&I graduate you will enter either as an electrical engineer or a control and instrumentation engineer.  You’ll play a pivotal role in designing and maintaining EC&I systems that ensure ships and submarines have reliable facility-based support systems in place to complete critical maintenance programmes.  

As a member of the Facilities Engineering team, you’ll work alongside specialists in Control & Instrumentation, HV/LV Power Distribution, and Building Services. You’ll contribute to a wide range of projects, from HV/LV network upgrades and the modernisation of transformers and switchgear to enhancements of critical systems such as process control and automation systems, CCTV and fire alarms.  

Throughout the programme, you’ll build proficiency in industry-standard software including AutoCAD, ETAP, Amtech, and Dialux/Relux – equipping you with the tools to deliver innovative and reliable engineering solutions. 

How is the programme structured?  

This is a Facilities Engineering Development Programme, delivered on-site at Devonport, Plymouth.  

Over two years, you’ll complete a series of three- to six-month placements across specialist teams such as E,C&I Design, Design Authority and Operational Support. Each rotation is shaped around your interests and career goals, giving you broad technical exposure and the chance to build strong foundations in facilities engineering.   

By the end of the programme, you’ll be well prepared to take on a permanent role as an E,C&I Engineer at Babcock, equipped with the skills, confidence and experience to make a real impact. 

How do we develop and support you? 

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.  

You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.  

To support your journey toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, we offer guidance and cover all associated fees.    

What’s waiting for you after the programme? 

Upon successful completion of the programme, you’ll step into the role of an E,C&I Engineer within the Facilities Engineering Design or Operational Support team at Devonport, Plymouth.  

From there, your development doesn’t stop. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go. 

​​​​​What rewards and benefits will you get? 

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too. 

In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:  

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays 

• Generous pension and employee share schemes  

• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts  

• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks. 

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.    

What do you need to apply? 

• You'll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, including Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Control Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Automation Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, or Building Services Engineering.     

• 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.

• 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. 

Where will you be based? 

Places on our EC&I Engineering Graduate Programme for September 2027 are available in Devonport, Plymouth.  

Our business in Plymouth works in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Royal Navy at HM Naval Base Devonport. We provide through-life support for submarines, surface ships and associated systems and equipment as part of our continuing commitment to support our nation’s naval capability.