Deputy Plant Manager

We Served; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense engineering company is looking for a Deputy Plant Manager at its Devonport Royal Dockyard site in Plymouth. This role requires overseeing facility operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and leading teams in the maintenance and modification of systems. Candidates should possess either a relevant engineering degree or substantial experience in nuclear facility management and be able to attain National Nuclear Propulsion Information security clearance. Competitive compensation and generous benefits are provided.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in either refitting nuclear submarines or construction project management.
• Ability to make decisions based on data and evidence.
• Experience in leading high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and operational conduct.
• Oversee maintenance and repair procedures.
• Support modifications to existing facilities.

Skills

Critical thinking

Leadership

Operational management

Compliance understanding

Education

Relevant engineering degree or significant experience in nuclear facilities management

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Job Title: Deputy Plant Manager

Location: Plymouth, Devon

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF70826

Lead Operational Excellence at the Heart of the UK’s Defence Engineering

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Deputy Plant Manager at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As a Deputy Plant Manager, you’ll be a Duly Appointed Person with responsibility for ensuring compliance with Site Licence and Authorisation Conditions, as well as the terms of environmental permits.

Day-to-day, you’ll oversee the full scope of facility operations, ensuring the safety case is valid, the design intent is maintained, and the operating regime is enforced. This includes authorising appropriate procedures for maintenance and repair, ensuring correct operational records are kept, and providing functional oversight of the work being undertaken. You will also support plant modifications and the installation and commissioning of new systems, all while championing Nuclear, Conventional, Product and Environmental safety at every stage.

• Ensure there is a valid safety case covering the full scope of intended operations.
• Authorise appropriate procedures for facility maintenance, repair and operational conduct.
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate operational records and provide functional oversight of work activities.
• Maintain the design intent of the facility and enforce Operating Rules, Operating Boundaries and Operating Instructions.
• Support modification to existing plant, as well as the installation and commissioning of new plant.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

Essential experience of the Deputy Plant Manager

You must demonstrated experience in at least two of the following:

• Refitting or undertaking major docking periods for nuclear submarines; construction project experience (not necessarily within the nuclear sector) including a solid understanding of CDM Regulations; management of operations within nuclear facilities; development and implementation of safety cases on a nuclear‑licensed site.
• A critical thinker who can understand complex issues, balancing the detail and the big picture.
• Able to use insight, data (evidence) and judgement to make good decisions and have a positive impact.
• An inclusive leader with a passion for creating a great people experience and enabling a diverse and high-performing culture.
• Someone who will delegate and hold people accountable appropriately, as well as support, guide and coach others.

Qualifications for the Deputy Plant Manager

• Relevant engineering degree or significant experience in nuclear facilities management
• Chartered Engineer status

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. 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.

Closing date: 03/02/2026

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