Rolls-Royce has announced the creation of 120 specialist roles at its newly opened office in the Airport Business Park, Glasgow, in a move set to bolster the region’s economy and strengthen the UK’s defence capabilities.
The new positions, which focus on electrical controls, instrumentation, and cyber security, are funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
The Glasgow office was strategically chosen to tap into the region’s skilled talent pool, ensuring the UK remains at the cutting edge of defence innovation.
Supporting Critical Defence Programmes
The newly recruited specialists will play a pivotal role in supporting the Dreadnought programme, a key initiative for the Royal Navy’s future submarine fleet, as well as other projects linked to the AUKUS agreement—a landmark trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the United States.
Rolls-Royce Submarines, which employs over 5,000 people nationwide, designs, manufactures, and provides in-service support for the pressurised water reactors that power all Royal Navy submarines. This includes the cutting-edge Astute and Dreadnought boat programmes.
Steve Carlier, President of Rolls-Royce Submarines, underlined the significance of the Glasgow expansion:
“The work we do for the Royal Navy is of critical strategic importance, and to deliver it, we need to harness talent from across the UK, not just from our base in Derby. The opening of our Glasgow office allows us to benefit from the region’s strong pedigree in electrical engineering and add to our own existing pool of nuclear experts.”
He added:
“Powering and supporting the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines is a national endeavour. Opening our Glasgow office and securing new jobs in the city demonstrates the far-reaching, positive impact of the whole submarines programme.”
A Boost for British Defence
The Glasgow roles come as Rolls-Royce Submarines expands its support for the Royal Navy. In March 2023, it was confirmed that Rolls-Royce would supply all the nuclear reactor plants powering new attack submarines under the AUKUS agreement. The company also provides global frontline support for reactor plant equipment from its Derby Operations Centre and works at naval bases in Devonport and Faslane.
Building Future Talent
To ensure the long-term success of its ambitious programmes, Rolls-Royce opened its Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby last year. This initiative aims to produce 200 apprentices annually for at least the next decade, safeguarding a steady pipeline of engineering talent.
For those interested in joining Rolls-Royce’s mission to power the nation’s defence, the company is hosting dedicated careers fairs and welcomes applications for its Glasgow roles. More details can be found at Rolls-Royce SubmarinesCareers.
This development underscores Britain’s enduring commitment to national security, showcasing Glasgow as a key hub for engineering excellence and a cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s nuclear capabilities.