Graduate Operations Test & Commissioning Engineer

Job Title Graduate Submarines Operations Test & Commissioning Engineer

Location Barrow (Cumbria)

We offer relocation support packages for this role (Barrow-in-Furness based roles), subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Start Date 8th September 2025

BAE Systems do offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements, however it is expected on our Graduate programme you will be required to attend your site up to 5 days per week. Please note, this may be subject to change in line with the needs of the business. The hybrid working arrangements including which days you are required to work on site/remotely will be outlined by your line manager.

Salary £34,000 & £2,000 Welcome Bonus

Join our Submarines Team to be a part of designing, building, testing, and commissioning the largest and most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. Work alongside our Astute Class and Dreadnought Class Submarines to provide a powerful and secure deterrent for the United Kingdom 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You could be the difference.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently under represented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals.

What you will be doing

Within Test & Commissioning you will be working as part of a wider team that tests and commissions the Astute & Dreadnought class submarines. This is one of the final phases of boat build and ensures that the mechanical and electrical systems are built to their design intent and function safely and reliably. As a Nuclear Graduate you will be working alongside qualified engineers on the Reactor Systems to support these tests that are essential for the submarine safe operation. During the graduate programme individuals will be working towards becoming a qualified and competent commissioning engineer.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Working closely with the Operations build teams to verify that the systems have been installed to the appropriate workmanship quality standards. The Installations are checked for any defects and for any bespoke installation requirements such as those to facilitate commissioning tests.

- Carrying out system walk downs to ensure the systems conform to the installation documentation. This is an essential layer of protection to ensure the plant has been installed correctly to the design intent.

- Commissioning the systems by testing the system's functionality. In the early commissioning phases this includes testing individual plant items and plant systems within boundary conditions.

- In the later commissioning phases the plant systems are tested as fully integrated systems as per design intent.

- Commissioning the plant includes flushing, pressurising and energising the systems to check for defects, functionality and also to check that plant operating parameters are within specification and tolerance.

- Achieving safety from the system by applying electro mechanical plant isolations and dissipating any stored energy in order for the plant to be worked on safely.

Skills

As a minimum requirement you'll need to have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, a 2.2 in your Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Systems Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering.

Opportunities for Growth and Development: We encourage employees to explore projects beyond their primary responsibilities, providing them with diverse experiences. With a wide range of products and a multinational presence, there are ample opportunities for employees to engage in various projects and initiatives.

Community Involvement: In addition to professional development BAE Systems value community engagement. Employees are encouraged to participate in community projects, STEM initiatives, and employee resource groups, offering valuable learning experiences outside of their regular roles.

Retention and Career Development: Recognising the importance of retaining talented individuals, we offer sponsorship, career development support, and high-potential development programs. These initiatives aim to help employees plan their careers effectively and provide opportunities for accelerated development for those who demonstrate aspiration, ability, and performance.

Benefits

You'll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You'll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

On commencement of employment you will be paid a one-off non-consolidated lump sum payment of £2,000 (the "Welcome Payment"). The Welcome Payment is subject to the normal deductions and will be paid with your first salary payment. This provides you with the perfect opportunity to ease your transition, whether this be relocation cost, securing housing, ensuring smooth and reliable transport needs, anything to help kick-start your career in BAE Systems.

Inclusivity within our recruitment process

We want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Our environmental responsibility

As a future-focused business we're committed to changing the world we live in for the better. Our target is to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, we're innovating new ways to develop on-site renewable electricity and setting ambitious targets for water consumption and waste generation.

Export Control/Security

Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.

As a minimum requirement you'll need to have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, a 2.2 in your Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Systems Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering.