Cranes Operator

Job Title: Cranes Operator

Location: Plymouth, Devon

Compensation: £28, - £32, Depending on Experience + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF

Help keep the Royal Navy mission-ready through safe and critical lifting operations

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 Cranes Operator at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As a Cranes Operator, you’ll join a team at the forefront of supporting the Royal Navy fleet. This is an opportunity to be part of complex maintenance, refit and engineering programmes that help ensure the continued serviceability of warships and submarines.

Day-to-day, you’ll safely move, support and reposition materials and equipment that enable critical structural alterations and repairs. Every lift you complete plays a direct role in supporting national defence whilst giving you the chance to develop specialist skills in a unique maritime engineering environment. You'll also have opportunities to share your expertise and support the development of trainee operators.

• Operating fixed, mobile and dockside cranes in accordance with lifting plans, procedures and safety requirements.
• Conducting pre-use inspections and safety checks to ensure lifting equipment remains safe and fit for purpose.
• Positioning and configuring cranes safely while identifying hazards, ground loading restrictions and environmental risks.
• Communicating effectively with crane supervisors, slinger signallers and operational teams throughout lifting activities.
• Supporting complex lifting operations, monitoring weather conditions and contributing to the development of trainee operators.

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

Essential experience of the Cranes Operator

• Experience carrying out safe and efficient lifting operations within industrial, engineering, maritime, construction or similar environments.
• Working knowledge of lifting plans, risk assessments and permit-to-work requirements.
• Experience following statutory regulations and safe systems of work.
• Ability to communicate effectively during lifting and operational activities.
• Strong commitment to safety, teamwork and operational excellence.

Qualifications for the Cranes Operator

It would be advantageous if you hold any of the following:

• HGV Category C Driving Licence.
• NPORS Mobile Crane Operator qualification (or equivalent).
• NPORS Tower Crane Operator qualification (or equivalent).
• NPORS Slinger Signaller qualification (or equivalent).
• NPORS Crane Supervisor qualification (or equivalent).

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) 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 Babcock

We’re Babcock — a global FTSE organisation with over 29, people working together to make a difference.

Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.

We call that lifetime engineering.

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

We are a disability confident committed employer.