Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Plymouth (PL1 4SG)

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

Posted on 8 October 2025


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 Electro-Mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship is a rare opportunity for you to help commission the nuclear submarines that play a vital role in securing the UK’s defence.

Wage

£25,364 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Year 1: £25,364 Year 2: £28,528 Year 3: £34,326 Year 4: £36,572 Year 5: £39,120

Training course
Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

5 years

Positions available

6

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
  • You'll work on the commissioning of nuclear submarines, 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 through the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE)

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

THE 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

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Any Subject (grade C/4 or above)
  • Any Subject (grade C/4 or above)
  • Any Subject (grade C/4 or above)
  • English (grade C/4 or above)
  • Maths (grade C/4 or above)

A Level in:

  • Any Subject (grade A)
  • Mathematics (grade A)
  • Physical Science (grade A)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

IT skills

Other requirements

Many of our graduate 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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note that a successful application for this apprenticeship is dependent on acceptance by our chosen University provider.

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 • Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays • Competitive pension scheme • Employee share scheme • Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme

Disability Confident

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

  • At the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have earned a BEng in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and gained valuable work experience in nuclear submarine commissioning as a Commissioning Engineer. This will put you on par with peers who have completed our graduate programme and are progressing towards becoming future Lead Engineers or Design Managers within the business
  • At this stage, you can expect a salary exceeding £42,000 per annum

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345634.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

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