Commercial Trainee at Balaena

Ready to Build a Commercial Career in Marine Engineering?

If you're naturally curious, enjoy solving problems and want to learn how major engineering projects are priced, planned and won, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for a Trainee Commercial Practitioner to join our team at Balaena Falmouth. This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the beginning of their commercial career who wants to develop their technical, analytical and commercial skills while working on exciting marine and engineering projects.

Whether you've completed a cadetship or apprenticeship, gained an engineering qualification or acquired relevant industry experience, we'll help you develop the knowledge and confidence needed to become a valued member of our commercial team.

Who are we?

With a combined workforce of more than 2,000 people and operations across Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth, Balaena is one of the UK’s most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups. We combine industrial agility, innovation and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness and sustainability across naval and merchant ship sectors.

Our integrated facilities create one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups, with 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and Mediterranean. We respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements, maintain close control through our in-house capabilities and work alongside customers to deliver what they need, when they need it.

What will you make happen?

• Learn how to assess project requirements, specifications and drawings to support the preparation of accurate cost estimates.
• Gain exposure to a variety of marine and engineering projects while developing your commercial understanding.
• Work alongside experienced colleagues to build detailed cost breakdowns, proposals and bid documents.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Engineers and other stakeholders to gather information and ensure submissions are accurate and competitive.
• Develop an understanding of material, labour, equipment and subcontractor costing.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations and help identify best-value solutions.
• Support value engineering and cost-saving initiatives while building your wider knowledge of the bidding process.
• Grow your technical and commercial expertise through structured learning and hands-on experience.

Does this sound like you?

• You're keen to learn, comfortable working with numbers and interested in understanding how complex engineering projects are delivered commercially.
• You enjoy working collaboratively, pay attention to detail and are motivated by finding solutions.
• You have an engineering qualification, have completed a cadetship or apprenticeship, or have equivalent industry experience within the maritime sector, giving you foundational technical knowledge of vessels.
• You have strong analytical and numerical skills.
• You have excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to your work.
• You have good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across teams.
• You can manage priorities and work to deadlines.

Why join us?

• Make an impact – Join a knowledgeable team and help shape the commercial decisions behind important marine and engineering projects.
• Keep growing – Learn from experienced specialists while developing your estimating, bidding and commercial capability.
• Build financial security – Benefit from an employer pension contribution of up to 4% and life cover worth seven times your basic salary.
• Look after your wellbeing – Access sick pay, dental, optical and physiotherapy support, counselling, digital mental health services and an employee assistance programme.
• Maintain balance – Receive 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, alongside maternity, paternity and parental leave support.

This is more than a trainee role. It's an opportunity to build a rewarding commercial career while contributing to some of the most interesting projects in the maritime industry. Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm and ambition – and grow with Balaena.

Security requirements

Because of the nature of some of our customers' work, certain roles are subject to security control restrictions. Factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities and your place of birth may affect which duties you can undertake.

All successful candidates must undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and attain Security Check (SC) Clearance as part of pre-employment checks.