Electro-Mechanical Degree Apprenticeship
DEVONPORT ROYAL DOCKYARD LIMITED
Plymouth (PL1 4SG)
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
Posted on 15 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Want a role that combines mechanical and electrical engineering skills to help solve some of the most complex and unique engineering challenges in UK defence technology? Our 5-year Apprenticeship is a rare opportunity to contribute to the commissioning of nuclear submarines or to work on the cranes and lifting equipment that support them.
- Wage
-
£27,381 a year
- Training course
- Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 September 2027
- Duration
-
5 years
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- This Level 6 apprenticeship will give you practical, real-world experience working on electrical and mechanical systems across our Submarine Commissioning Group or the Mechanical Handling Group
- You'll work on the commissioning of nuclear submarines or work on all technical aspects of the Mechanical Handling assets across site, learning how to perform critical tasks such as system installation, operation, and maintenance, alongside fault diagnosis and rectification
- We’ll help you build fundamental skills such as drawing, calculations, specifications, scheduling and reporting. Working with teams from other engineering departments, you’ll also learn the fundamentals of electrical and mechanical design, from concept through to manufacturing
- Throughout the programme, you’ll undertake a series of placements to give you a breadth of experience in all areas of Electro-Mechanical Engineering, supporting you to achieve professional registration
Where you'll work
Devonport Royal Dockyard
Devonport
Plymouth
PL1 4SG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Training course
Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Communicate technical information with others at all levels, including technical reports and the use of digital tools.
- Follow a methodical approach to engineering problem solving.
- Establish and report engineering design briefs.
- Produce mechanical and electrical designs / drawings / sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
- Model real-world mechanical systems efficiently.
- Select the design solution for a given electro-mechanical engineering application and environment using data to inform their decisions.
- Integrate electrical and mechanical engineering systems, considering new and emerging technologies.
- Use appropriate equipment to develop and execute test plans to support electro-mechanical product validation and approval.
- Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level.
- Write and document structured programming code for electro-mechanical systems.
- Fabricate engineering components and assemblies using specialist manufacturing methods and hand fitting techniques.
- Assemble, wire, program and test electrical equipment, motors and control systems.
- Plan, manage and lead engineering projects.
- Perform risk management for engineering activities.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety requirements.
- Communicate technical information with others at all levels, including technical reports and the use of digital tools.
- Follow a methodical approach to engineering problem solving.
- Establish and report engineering design briefs.
- Produce mechanical and electrical designs / drawings / sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
- Model real-world mechanical systems efficiently.
- Select the design solution for a given electro-mechanical engineering application and environment using data to inform their decisions.
- Integrate electrical and mechanical engineering systems, considering new and emerging technologies.
- Use appropriate equipment to develop and execute test plans to support electro-mechanical product validation and approval.
- Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level.
- Write and document structured programming code for electro-mechanical systems.
- Fabricate engineering components and assemblies using specialist manufacturing methods and hand fitting techniques.
- Assemble, wire, program and test electrical equipment, motors and control systems.
- Plan, manage and lead engineering projects.
- Perform risk management for engineering activities.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety requirements.
Training schedule
When you successfully complete your apprenticeship, you’ll have earned a BEng in Electro-Mechanical Engineering.
Your training will take place through a mixture of classroom learning and work placements. Each year you’ll spend four weeks at the University of Warwick for theoretical and practical training (attendance at the University for face-to-face sessions is mandatory), with the rest of your time spent onsite at Devonport Royal Dockyard within our Submarine Commissioning Group or Mechanical Handling Group.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any Subject (grade C)
- Any Subject (grade C)
- English (grade C)
- Maths (grade C)
- Science (grade C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
Other requirements
Please note that a successful application for this apprenticeship is dependent on acceptance by our chosen University provider.
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) 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.
About this employer
Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.
Company benefits
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
At the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have earned a BEng in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and gained valuable work experience in a highly technical and complex environment. This will put you on par with peers who have completed our graduate programme and are progressing towards taking their roles of responsibility.
At this stage, you can expect a salary exceeding £42,000 per annum.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058718.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.