Project Controls Graduate Programme

Project Controls Graduate Programme 

Programme title: Project Controls Graduate Programme 

Salary: Minimum £35,000. Salary is dependent on location, role and qualifications.

Location: Bristol Hub – Ashton House and Babcock Technology Centre  

Application closing date: 20 October 2026

Programme start date: September 2027

Role ID: 74505

What will you do on the programme?

On our Project Controls Graduate Programme, you'll help keep critical defence programmes on track, within budget and delivering against their objectives.

As part of Project Controls, you'll help provide the analysis and forecasting that enables teams to understand performance, manage risk and plan effectively. You'll gain experience of how schedule, cost, risk and performance data is used to support the successful delivery of complex projects.

Working as part of integrated project teams, you'll help develop and maintain schedules, monitor costs and progress, assess risks and opportunities, analyse project data, and produce forecasts and reports that support effective governance and decision-making.

How is the programme structured?

Over two years, you'll build a strong foundation in Project Controls, developing an understanding of the processes, tools and techniques used to deliver complex projects.

You'll complete a series of placements, each lasting up to six months, across disciplines including Planning & Scheduling, Cost Management, Risk & Opportunity Management, Project Reporting, Governance and Assurance. These rotations will give you the opportunity to apply your learning on live projects and gain experience across the project lifecycle.

As you progress, you'll take on increasing responsibility and develop the technical, commercial and analytical skills needed for a successful career in Project Controls. career goals, helping you build relevant experience in areas that matter most to you.

How do we develop and support you?

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.

You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.

Alongside this, you'll receive technical training in core Project Controls methodologies and tools, with focused development in areas such as planning and scheduling, forecasting, risk management and performance reporting. Regular feedback and support towards professional accreditation will help you apply your learning in practice, strengthen your expertise and accelerate your development as a Project Controls professional.

What’s waiting for you after the programme?

Once you successfully complete the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to move into a permanent role within our Project Controls discipline. You’ll have the flexibility to develop as a broad Project Controls professional or specialise in a specific area such as Planning, Cost Control or Risk Management.

From there, your development doesn’t stop. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

What rewards and benefits will you get?

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.

In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from: 

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
• Generous pension and employee share schemes
• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.  

What do you need to apply?

• You'll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a degree in one of the following subjects: Risk Management, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Finance, Economics, Project Management, Data Science, Maths, Statistics, Business Management, Information/IT Management, Sciences, or Engineering.    
• 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) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.

Where will you be based?

Places on our Project Controls programme for September 2027 are available in our Mission Technologies business in Bristol.   

If you’re interested in advanced manufacturing and disruptive technologies, Mission Technologies is where you’ll thrive. Based in Bristol, you could contribute to the delivery of advanced communications systems, electronic warfare capabilities, or satellite operations supporting national defence.

Here, you’ll be involved in a diverse portfolio of innovative programmes, helping to support the development and delivery of technologies that operate across land, sea, air and space. It’s an opportunity to contribute to complex projects that support customers across the UK and around the world.

Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on-site multiple times a week.  

Application process and important information

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

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.