AWE
work experience

Nuclear Safety Specialist - Year in Industry Programme 2026

Job description

We are offering a rewarding and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Nuclear Safety Specialist at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure.

As a nuclear safety case assessor, you will work as part of a team to assess the risk and consequences of design, engineering, and operational failures. This will include modelling accident scenarios and identifying controls to prevent them.

The role offers the opportunity to work across the whole project lifecycle including design of new facilities, large modifications of existing facilities, production facilities, research & development facilities, and decommissioning facilities as part of a structured two-year development programme. The role also provides the opportunity to develop an understanding of how AWE interacts with its regulators.

You will be engaged in technical problem-solving, preparing detailed reports to argue and justify the tolerability of nuclear, radiological, environmental, and conventional hazards, whilst liaising with a diverse group of people at many levels within the company including operators, facility management, engineers, and regulators.

The Nuclear Safety Case Assessor:

  • Develop skills in major hazard assessment and support the analysis and assessment of nuclear, radiological, chemical, explosives and other major hazards associated with actual, planned and/or decommissioned facilities, plant, equipment, or product.
  • Gain experience in the development of safety assessments and justifications (e.g., Safety Cases) in line with relevant legislation, industry standards and AWE's policies, procedures and guidance.
  • Continuously develop their understanding of current health and safety legislation, the ONR licensing regime and the fundamental application of the ALARP principle.
  • Whilst supervised, contribute to the production and review of safety assessments, justifications.

Benefits

  • £23,500 salary
  • Holiday entitlement of 270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays
  • Excellent work/life balance and a vibrant and welcoming grad social scene
  • 9-day working fortnight - so every other Friday off
  • A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme
  • A welcome payment
  • Potential to secure a Graduate role for when you finish university, subject to availability
  • Access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure
  • Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to our Occupational Health Services

Why AWE?

  • Build leadership skills, self-awareness, and teamwork.
  • Join a vibrant early careers community with events, ERGs and networking opportunities.
  • Benefit from continual support: a line manager, pathway lead, and ‘buddy’ to guide your journey.

What we are looking for

  • We are interested any Engineering or Science based degree – though please note this is not a lab based role.
  • Before starting with the business, you will need to be able to provide evidence that you have attained a minimum of a 2:2 in your degree so far by August 2026.
  • You must be able to Join AWE in August 2026.
  • You must be a British National, able to start in August 2026, and eligible for security clearance.
  • Curious, problem-solvers with integrity, resilience, and a collaborative mindset. You’ll thrive if you’re eager to grow and ready to apply your skills to real-world challenges.

Accepted degree subjects

  • environmental science and ecology
  • physics
  • electronic and electrical engineering
  • health sciences
  • biology and life sciences
  • engineering management
  • sports science
  • computer sciences and information technology
  • civil engineering and construction
  • transport engineering
  • agricultural sciences
  • food sciences
  • geology and geography
  • mechanical engineering
  • media studies and publishing
  • mathematics
  • information science and librarianship
  • aerospace engineering
  • animal care and veterinary science
  • chemistry
  • social sciences
  • chemical engineering
  • materials science

Additional job details

Location
Aldermaston
Salary
£23,500

plus benefits and welcome bonus

Contract, dates and working times
Fixed term

Full-time

How to apply

Application Process

Our process is designed to be simple, fair and transparent:

  1. Online Application – Opens 15th September. Explore the option and apply for one pathway that best suits your interests and goals.
  2. Online Tests – If shortlisted, you’ll complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive assessments. Practice materials will be available to ensure you know what to expect.
  3. Virtual Assessment Centre – Successful candidates will be invited to virtual AC’s running Nov–Dec 2025, with pre-assessment webinars to guide you.

Applications will close earlier if we receive enough applications, so apply early.

Support & Inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants and strive to create a workplace where differences are recognised and celebrated. We encourage requests for reasonable adjustments if required, to ensure you feel able to perform your best. Any information you share will be used only to support you through the process in line with GDPR.

Contact Us

For questions, email the Early Careers Team

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ»ÆÆ¬ until 24 October 2025

Don't forget to mention Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ»ÆÆ¬ to employers when you contact them.

Closing date:  24 October 2025

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