Rolls-Royce Submarines has officially opened a new office in Glasgow, creating 120 specialist roles in electrical controls, instrumentation, and cyber security.
Funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the office was inaugurated by the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, the Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, at the Airport Business Park.
This expansion is part of Rolls-Royce Submarines’ efforts to meet growing demand from the Royal Navy, including supporting the Dreadnought programme and the AUKUS agreement. The Glasgow location was chosen to tap into the region’s skilled workforce and contribute to the national endeavour of supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Strategic Importance
Steve Carlier, President of Rolls-Royce Submarines, emphasised the strategic importance of the new office, saying, “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.”
Government Support
Maria Eagle MP hailed the office as a significant step for UK defence. “The opening of the new Rolls-Royce office in Glasgow is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent. This investment is delivered alongside an important industry partnership and will support high-skilled jobs and economic growth that will benefit our prosperity and security for decades to come,” she said.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, also highlighted the economic impact of the project. “Economic growth is the UK Government’s top mission, and I welcome the opening of this new MOD-funded office and the 120 high-skilled jobs it has created. The arrival of Rolls-Royce Submarines in Glasgow is a landmark day for the city-region and testament to the skills, expertise and innovation available through the workforce in this area,” he said.
Supporting UK Defence
The new office will play a key role in supporting the UK’s submarine fleet, which is powered by nuclear reactors designed and manufactured by Rolls-Royce. The company is actively involved in the construction and maintenance of the Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes, as well as providing global support from its Operations Centre in Derby.
The Glasgow expansion also underscores Scotland’s vital role in UK defence. “Defence is a key driver for economic growth in Scotland, with MOD spending around £2 billion annually with industry here, directly supporting over 11,000 jobs,” Murray added.
Future Talent Pipeline
To ensure a steady supply of talent, Rolls-Royce established its Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby in 2022. The academy plans to train 200 apprentices annually for at least the next decade, ensuring the continuation of expertise critical to the UK’s defence sector.
Rolls-Royce is actively recruiting for roles at the new Glasgow office. Interested applicants can visit the company’s careers page for more information.
