The posting
If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.
Graduate Trainee - Engineering
Programme
Evolve Graduate Programme
Salary
£31,000 starting salary plus benefits
Location
Aldermaston, Berkshire - onsite
Duration
Two years
Start date
September 2027
Working pattern
Full time, 9-day working fortnight
About AWE
We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and wider national-security capabilities through science, engineering, technology and specialist expertise.
Programme purpose
The Engineering Evolve Graduate Programme provides practical experience across real projects, products, systems and facilities. You will apply knowledge from your degree, develop technical and professional capability and gain exposure to different engineering roles while contributing to work that supports AWE’s mission.
Placements are central to the programme and are flexed to support business needs and your development. Alongside technical experience, you will complete leadership, business and professional-skills training and receive support to begin working towards Chartered Engineer registration.
Key activities and responsibilities
- Contribute to current or future nuclear-warhead programmes, nuclear threat reduction, manufacturing solutions or major infrastructure.
- Gain experience across concept generation, design, manufacture, processing, assembly, maintenance, testing, trials and commissioning.
- Build knowledge of precision components, systems, safety and reliability.
- Complete placements shaped around business needs and your development, giving you varied engineering experience.
- Work with engineers, scientists, manufacturing specialists, project professionals and operational teams.
- Build leadership, business and professional skills while beginning progress towards Chartered Engineer registration.
Learning and development
- How complex engineering products and systems move through the full lifecycle.
- How design, manufacturing, testing, trials, commissioning and maintenance connect.
- How safety, reliability, quality and security shape engineering decisions.
- How digital, software, data, systems and manufacturing disciplines contribute to technical delivery.
- How to communicate technical ideas and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
- How professional registration and continuous development support a long-term engineering career.
Potential technical exposure
- Concept generation and engineering design.
- Manufacture, processing and assembly.
- Software, data and systems engineering.
- Safety, reliability and technical assurance.
- Maintenance, testing, trials and commissioning.
- Manufacturing solutions and major infrastructure delivery.
Behaviours and qualities
- Curious: You ask thoughtful questions and want to understand how complex systems work.
- Problem solver: You enjoy breaking down technical challenges and developing practical solutions.
- Collaborative: You listen, share ideas and value different perspectives.
- Growth-oriented: You welcome feedback and want to build confidence and capability.
- Dependable: You take ownership, act with integrity and follow through on commitments.
- Safety focused: You understand that careful, accurate work supports quality, safety and security.
Entry requirements
- You must hold, or be on track to achieve, a minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Manufacturing Engineering or Systems Engineering.
If you are studying an engineering degree outside this list, check out our opportunities in Operations and Estates and Liabilities as we have lots of roles available!
- You must be available to join AWE in September 2027.
- You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.
- You must be able to work full time onsite near Reading, Berkshire, with little opportunity to work from home.
Salary and benefits
- £31,000 starting salary.
- A market-leading contributory pension scheme.
- 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
- A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
- A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and employee discounts.
- A welcome payment and the option of an interest-free £1,000 loan.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression.
Support and community
- A dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead.
- A buddy, typically from an earlier Graduate cohort.
- A vibrant Early Careers community and access to employee networks.
- Flexible engineering placements and structured technical, leadership and business development.
- Support to begin progressing towards professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Recruitment process and key dates
- Online application: Applications open on 2 November 2026. Apply for the pathway that best matches your interests and goals.
- Online assessment: If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments. Practice materials will be available.
- Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre, expected to run during December 2026 and January 2027.
- Pre-assessment support: Attend guidance webinars so you know what to expect and can prepare.
- Offer and clearance: Successful candidates will move into the offer and security-clearance stages before joining in September 2027.
Security and onsite-working requirement
You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance. Engineering Graduate roles are full time and onsite near Reading, Berkshire, with little opportunity to work from home.
Inclusion and reasonable adjustments
AWE aims to create workplaces where differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process, with inclusion information handled in accordance with GDPR.
Next steps:
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Important things you need to know:
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
- We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
- Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
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 will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
