Plymouth is a city of around 265,000 on the Devon side of the Tamar, the river that forms the border with Cornwall. Its jobs market is dominated by defence, marine engineering and the NHS. The largest single presence is Devonport: the Royal Dockyard, run by Babcock, sits within the largest naval base in Western Europe and is the UK's only licensed site for refitting and refuelling nuclear-powered submarines. Live vacancies there lean heavily towards welders, fitters, electrical and mechanical trades, project and nuclear engineers, and the security-cleared roles that go with them.

On the private side, Princess Yachts has its head office and assembly halls on Newport Street in Stonehouse (PL1 3QG), with further production at Coypool and South Yard across five Plymouth sites. The work covers boatbuilding, composites, joinery and marine fit-out. Health is the other large employer base: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, based at Derriford Hospital (PL6 8DH), employs more than 11,000 people and is the largest teaching hospital trust in the South West, generating a steady flow of clinical, nursing and support vacancies. Nearby is the Derriford cluster, taking in Plymouth Science Park and the International Medical and Technology Park, with The Range's head office in the Derriford and Estover area and the University of Plymouth in the city centre. Recruitment agencies in the city are active in engineering and skilled trades, NHS and care, and warehouse and logistics out towards Langage at Plympton.

Transport: Plymouth station is on the Great Western main line, with direct trains to London Paddington (fastest around 2h59m, more often nearer 3h20m), Exeter in about an hour, on to Bristol, and the Cornish line west to Truro and Penzance. The A38 Devon Expressway runs through the city and continues to Exeter, where it joins the M5. Postcodes: PL1 to PL3 cover the city centre, Hoe and waterfront; PL6 takes in Derriford, Estover and the northern business parks.

Jobs in Plymouth

Female Live-in care worker

Plymouth, Devon
£740 per week
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 26-07-2026
Exciting opportunity. Urgent start required. Live-in care worker. At least 6 months' paid experience of working in care in the UK is required, and a full UK driving licence is preferred but not essential for this role. Plymouth area - £740 per week - Week... Read more

Reliability Technician (Days) - Mars Wrigley

Plymouth, Devon
Negotiable
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 26-07-2026
Job Description.. 📍 Plymouth (PL6 Estover. 💷 £45,200- £50,900 dependent on experience. 🎁 + £5,000 Welcome Bonus, Performance Bonus & Exceptional Benefits.. ⏰ Shifts: 40 Hours Mon-Fri: 7.00am-3:30pm.. 🌟 Why Join Us.. Join Mars Wrigley Plymouth and help us ... Read more

Multi Skilled Technician-Electrical bias-Mars Wrigley

Plymouth, Devon
Negotiable
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 26-07-2026
Job Description.. 📍 Plymouth (PL6 Estover. 💷 £50,400- £56,700 (including shift allowance. 🎁 + £2,500 welcome bonus, Performance Bonus & Exceptional Benefits.. 🕗 40 Hrs a week - Nights - Mon-Fri 10pm - 6am.. 🌟 Why Join Us.. Join Mars Wrigley Plymouth and h... Read more

Senior Community Physiotherapist

Liskeard
£25 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 25-07-2026
Our Client is seeking a Physiotherapist with strong experience of working within a Community Respiratory service for a long-term locum position in Liskeard. The post is initially for 12 weeks however, it is very likely that a further extension will be off... Read more

Band 6 Community Physiotherapist

Plymouth
£26 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 25-07-2026
One of our Clients, a large acute hospital in Plymouth, is looking for a Physiotherapist to join their friendly team. They are open to speaking to candidates on band 6level with a view to offering a long-term contract with an hourly pay rate of £26 - £27 ... Read more

SEND Teacher - SEND: SEMH, trauma, ADHD, ASC

Plymouth
£160 per day
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
SEND Teacher - Autism,SEMH, Trauma, ADHD. Location: Plymouth. Start date: 1st September 2026. Type: temp-to-perm (60-day paid trial period. Hours: Full-time (8:30am - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday. Salary: MPS & UPS (experience dependent. Our new special schoo... Read more

Site Supervisor/Manager

Plymouth
£200 per day
Job Type: Temporary
Posted: 24-07-2026
Site Supervisor/Manager. Plymouth. ASAP Start. Keen to explore non school related schemes this summer?!. We're working with a well respected and adaptable local construction services provider that are about to undertake a residential home into a care supp... Read more

Site Supervisor

Plymouth
£190 per day
Job Type: Temporary
Posted: 24-07-2026
Site Supervisor. Plymouth. ASAP Start. A thriving, locally based contractor about to commence a small school refurb scheme is seeking in the form of a competent and diligent Site Supervisor. In addition to having a relevant project history, the usual SMST... Read more

Air Conditioning Engineer

Plymouth
£40,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 24-07-2026
Mobile Air Conditioning Engineer. Plymouth and South Devon. £40-45k including travel package. Are you an Air Conditioning Engineer with experience working on VRVs? This company is recruiting due to workload and a new contract. As a Mobile Air Conditioning... Read more

Secretary - Legal Assistant

Plymouth, Devon
£24,500 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 24-07-2026
Secretary - Legal Assistant. Plymouth | £24,500 – £25,500 DOE. Are you looking to start a career in law, or do you already have legal secretarial or administrative experience and want to join a friendly, supportive team in the heart of Plymouth. Lockhart ... Read more

Site Engineer

Plymouth, Devon
Not Specified
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Our client is currently seeking a Site Engineer - SRC to join their team in Plymouth within the Defence & Security sector. This is a contract role requiring significant onsite presence due to the nature of the project. Key Responsibilities. Assist in the ... Read more

Site Engineer - Geotechnical

Plymouth, Devon
Not Specified
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Our client, a leader in the Defence & Security sector, is seeking a Site Engineer (Geotechnical) for a project in Plymouth. This contract role is integral to managing technical compliance and ensuring the project is completed safely, on time, and to the r... Read more

Site Engineer

Plymouth, Devon
Not Specified
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Our client, a key player in the Defence & Security sector, is seeking a Site Engineer to join their team on a contract basis. The role will be based in Plymouth. As a pivotal member of the engineering team, you will assist the Engineer in managing the tec... Read more

People Services Administrator

PL9, Turnchapel
£25,738 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 24-07-2026
People Services Administrator. £25,738 per annum. Plymouth. 37.5 hours per week. Full-Time. Permanent. At St Luke's Hospice, our people make everything we do possible. We are looking for an exceptional People Services Administrator to join our small, frie... Read more

Section Engineer

Plymouth, Devon
Not Specified
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Section Engineer - WRB. Location: Plymouth - Devonport Royal Dockyard. Working Hours: 45 Hours per week, 07:30 - 17:00. This role is site based - Monday to Friday. Inside IR35, rates are open to discussion. BPSS clearance. 12 month contract. Key Tasks and... Read more

Section Engineer (Geotechnical)

Plymouth, Devon
Not Specified
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Section Engineer - Geotechnical. Location: Plymouth - Devonport Royal Dockyard. Working Hours: 45 Hours per week, 07:30 - 17:00. This role is site based - Monday to Friday. Inside IR35, rates are open to discussion. BPSS clearance. 12 month contract. Key ... Read more

CompEx Electrician

Plymouth
£50,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 24-07-2026
CompEx Electrician. Southern Territory. Up to £50,000 Base Salary + Regular Overtime Opportunities (Paid at Premium Rates) + Regular Pay Reviews + Company Bonus Scheme + Ford Transit L2H2 (Can be used personally) + Fuel Card + Meal Allowance + PPE + 26 Da... Read more

Contract Bus Engineer

Devon
£32 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Contract PSV Engineer. “Are you looking for ongoing opportunities as a Contract PSV Engineer?. Why work as a Venatu Contractor. Wages paid weekly. Roles inside and outside of IR35. Local work wherever possible, as well as national opportunities, short and... Read more

Sales/Customer Service

PL2, Devonport
Not Specified
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 24-07-2026
Are you looking for a new career in sales and customer service. Do you have the drive and ambition our client is looking for to join this award winning sales and marketing organisation; they are looking to enhance their sales and customer service team wit... Read more

Site Agent

Plymouth, Devon
Not Specified
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 24-07-2026
Join a key player in Defence & Security, as a Site Agent. This contract role is based at a live MOD facility in Devonport and involves a range of responsibilities from programming works to overseeing financial performance and resource utilisation. Key Res... Read more

Frequently asked questions

Which employers in Plymouth hire the most?

The three largest are Babcock at Devonport Royal Dockyard (marine and nuclear engineering and trades), University Hospitals Plymouth at Derriford Hospital (clinical, nursing and support roles), and Princess Yachts (boatbuilding and marine fit-out). The University of Plymouth and The Range's head office are also major recruiters. Between them they account for a large share of the skilled and entry-level vacancies in the city.

Do I need security clearance to work at Devonport Dockyard?

For many roles on the naval base, yes. Because Devonport handles nuclear submarine refits, a lot of trade, engineering and contractor positions require Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance and often Security Check (SC), which involves residency and background checks. Babcock and the agencies that supply the dockyard state the clearance level in each advert, so check before applying.

Where are most of Plymouth's warehouse and office jobs based?

The northern PL6 corridor around Derriford and Estover holds Plymouth Science Park, the International Medical and Technology Park and The Range's head office, so a lot of office, tech and distribution work sits there. Larger logistics and manufacturing units extend east towards Langage at Plympton, just off the A38. City-centre and waterfront roles in retail, hospitality and the university fall mainly within PL1 to PL4.