Job Description

Job Title: Chief Engineer

Location: Virginia, USA

Compensation: Competitive

Role ID: SF74099

Shape the future of nuclear engineering and lead innovation that matters

At Cavendish Nuclear we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Chief Engineer at our Virginia, USA site.

The role

As a Chief Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You will play a pivotal leadership role in developing and expanding our Architect and Engineering capability within the nuclear sector. This is an opportunity to shape a new and growing engineering function—driving technical excellence, building high-performing teams, and securing major projects that support national safety, clean energy, and environmental protection.

Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:

• Leading the development of complex nuclear decommissioning and engineering solutions across multi-disciplinary projects
• Building, mentoring, and inspiring a high-performing engineering team to deliver technical excellence
• Driving client engagement and developing strategic relationships across the nuclear sector
• Overseeing compliance, risk management, and quality assurance to meet regulatory and customer standards
• Championing innovation by introducing advanced engineering technologies and best practices

This role is full time is based on site in Virginia, USA. This role requires the successful candidate to be a United States citizen.

Essential experience of the Chief Engineer

• Demonstrated leadership experience within the nuclear engineering sector, including team and programme development
• Proven ability to develop and deliver decommissioning or complex engineering solutions
• Strong track record of client relationship management, including engagement with regulatory bodies or government clients
• Experience implementing technical risk management systems and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Commercial awareness to align engineering capability with business growth and strategy

Qualifications for the Chief Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Professional Engineer licence
• Advanced knowledge or certification in nuclear regulatory compliance is desirable

Cavendish

We’re Cavendish Nuclear — a team of c5,000 specialists and a core part of Babcock International Group.

Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. Across clean energy, defence, and civil decommissioning, your work will contribute to projects that are critical to energy security and national protection. Together, we’re shaping a future that lasts — not only through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.

Join us and discover how far we can go, together.

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 careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive.

Closing date: 11/06/2026