Undergraduate Operations Test & Commissioning Engineer

Job Title    Industrial Placement Submarines Operations Test & Commissioning Engineer 

Location    Barrow (Cumbria) 

Start Date    23rd June 2025

BAE Systems do offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements, however it is expected on our Industrial Placement 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    £23,100

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
The Test and Commissioning Industrial Placement program offers a wide and exciting variety of opportunities in a broad spectrum of Test and Commissioning disciplines. Industrial Placement students will work as part of a committed team to meet departmental goals whilst developing their technical skills & understanding of the different Test Sections & T&C processes. The individuals will gain experience working towards key events of the boat build and will develop their skills and knowledge through rotations in each of the five test sections within the department – Reactor, Propulsion, Ships, Weapon and Strategic Weapons. 

During your Test and Commissioning program you will be given visibility of a range of disciplines in which a personal development plan will be created for your learning and development needs associated with your role. 

Test & Commissioning is the only function within Submarine Solutions which gives people the opportunity to work on live systems and see them operate at sea and underwater.

You will be working on the submarines alongside test engineers, helping with setting up and testing systems while learning the commissioning process, the software involved and safe working practices. You will learn system layouts and their operation in all sections of the submarine and begin to understand the complexity and diversity of the commissioning process.

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.
•    Support to engineers in 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 be on track 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.

To be considered for this role you must be returning to university to complete your degree.

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.

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 be on track 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.