What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
About the Year in Industry
We are offering a rewarding and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Engineer at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure. The opportunities to explore a placement at AWE are endless across our engineering function.
Completing your industrial placement at AWE gives you exposure to the exciting and unique world of nuclear warhead design and commissioning, multi million pounds civil and construction projects to increase our infrastructure capabilities, as well as vastly important analytical modelling, virtual reality testing, additive manufacturing and so much more.
Due to AWE’s critical role, further technical details of our individual placements are classified. But rest assured, you will be doing remarkably interesting things as part of our expert engineering team! And at the end of the placement, you will have built a strong understanding and experience of Engineering design, systems, process and manufacturing, that can be applied across many industries.
What to expect on your placement
- AWE has a highly inclusive culture. You will be supported by colleagues and management to bring your unique contribution to our work.
- You will undergo ‘DV’ security clearance to allow you to work on classified programmes.
- From Day 1 you will be collaborating with like-minded people on challenging problems, and you will encounter many development opportunities within the role.
- You will develop a work plan at the start of your placement that will help you to track your progress, achieve your goals and meet our programme needs.
- Depending on the team you are assigned to, you may have the opportunity to interact with UK and overseas partners and customers.
- There is a vibrant early careers community at AWE and you will have the opportunity to socialise across the multi-disciplinary group of undergraduate placement students and new graduates.
- You can join any of our six staff-led Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working groups to help guide our supportive work culture
- You will learn about AWE and develop a pathway to re-join us once you graduate (if you wish!) on our Evolve graduate development scheme.
The behaviours you will bring to the team
Candidates will be studying for a degree within an engineering field including Manufacturing, Mechanical, Design, Aerospace, Automotive, Chemical, Electrical, Robotics, Mechatronic, Systems, Materials, Civil, Nuclear Engineering.
- Growth Mindset; You’re full of grit and determination. Clear where you are going and how you will get there.
- Curious; you’re a person who loves to think outside the box. (You’re a person who loves to take the box apart!).
- Innovative; you’re open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
- Resilience; you’re an advocate of ‘speaking up’ for yourself and others openly and constructively.
- Team Worker; you’re dependable and reliable. You’re interested in collaborating with and supporting others.
Location
You will be based at Aldermaston, nr. Reading, Berkshire. There may be opportunities to work in other locations, depending on projects available at the time, such as Green Park in Reading, Leicester Space Park or other AWE hubs across the country.
The benefits
You will have the opportunity to learn from subject matter experts and to develop skills that are applicable across many industries. Successful candidates will receive:
- A salary of £22,250
- A market leading contributory pension scheme. We will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution.
- Every second Friday off. We do this by working a 41-hour week followed by a 33-hour week.
- 270 hours of annual leave a year, that includes an allowance for bank holidays.
- Access to the employee discounts portal – everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.
Start date
Undergraduate Placement Induction start date will be August 2025, so please avoid taking leave during this period if you are successful. This role is offered on a 12-month contract.
Recruitment process
We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, the scheme will close to new applications. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out!
Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.
Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.
Contact us
If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at EarlyCareers@awe.co.uk
