Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeship: Mechanical (Level 6
Degree)
Location – Reading / Basingstoke area (based at one
of our key sites at Aldermaston or Burghfield) *
About AWE
We are AWE. We're a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary
mission: keeping the nation safe and secure.
Our work is critical. We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for
the UK's nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies
that keep the nation safe.
AWE’s support for the government’s strategy takes many facets: from supporting
the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UK’s counter
terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place
around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give
the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology.
Start an extraordinary career at AWE; grow your skills, learn from industry
experts and become part of a community at one of the most unique companies in
the UK.
About The Role
As a Nuclear Engineer Apprentice, you will learn the basics of hand-tools,
machining, electrical theory, circuits, instruments, and control logic, before
learning how to specify, troubleshoot and maintain various pieces of industrial
equipment, such as nuclear vent and containment systems through lectures and
practical workshop projects. You will then undertake focused professional
engineering placements in industrial nuclear buildings across the business to
gain an appreciation of the additional challenges and safety requirements of
providing engineering services in such an environment throughout the
engineering lifecycle (Design, Construction, Commissioning, Operations,
Utilities). Following completion of your placements and subject to the business
need and your career aspirations, your final role placement will be selected,
and you will complete your training as a professional engineer in this area.
As a Nuclear degree apprentice, you will work towards BEng in Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear specialist units. The programme will involve
• Inquiry-led constructive learning and technology-based
assessment
• Nuclear behavioural culture, safety, and security
• Employer focused contextual content
On completion, you will be able to use the knowledge, skills
and behaviours developed to enable systems and equipment to operate safely,
efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way, meeting the requirements
set out by AWE and those of the Professional Body Institutions. You will have a
fundamental knowledge of engineering / science principles and practices and
will be able to demonstrate discipline skills corresponding with your employed
job role. This typically will include design, plant performance enhancements,
operational management, project management and maintenance of safety standards,
utilising analytical thinking to provide innovative solutions. You will also
demonstrate good team skills and the ability to communicate in a variety of forms
to all levels within an organisation.
* Throughout your studies there is a requirement for you to
attend college on a residential basis. During the first year of your
apprenticeship the majority of your time will be spent at college, during the
second and third years you will undertake shorter block release periods.
Suitable accommodation will be provided for you during these times.
About You
• Good communication skills (i.e. technical speaking, active
listening, professional writing, professional body language and technical
presentation)
• Reliability with a high level of respect for
confidentiality on work related and personal matters
• Ability to work autonomously and interact effectively
within a wide, multi-disciplinary project team
• Ability to understand the impact of work on others,
especially where related to diversity and equality
• Good time management skills (i.e. planning and completing
work to schedule)
• A supportive attitude to change and ability to respond
positively to change management processes
• Ownership for personal development
• Open attitude towards receiving feedback
• Committed to health & safety (i.e. personal, workplace,
radiological and nuclear)
• Effective at following rules, procedures and principles
• Enthusiasm and motivation for the nuclear industry
• PC literate
• Excellent team working skills
• Ability to concentrate for long periods
This role may appeal to you if you enjoy
• Understanding how things work and improving them
• Solving problems in different ways
• Working with Mechanical Assemblies (Car/bike/clock
maintenance, restoration, and modification etc.)
• Interest in learning / improving practical applications
• Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios
• Thermo & fluid dynamics
Entry Requirements
• 3 A-levels grade C or above including Maths or; Equivalent
level 3 qualification. (Minimum of 102 UCAS points OR existing level 3
qualification - equivalent to an A level)
• Applicants must be aged 18 or over, as of 31st August 2025
due to security clearance requirements
• You must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
The Benefits
• We offer our apprentices a starting salary of £22,250,
increasing annually throughout your apprenticeship
• Market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement 270 hours a year (inclusive of
Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off
• Access to employee discounts portal, everyday savings on
retail, hospitality and leisure.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health
Services
Alongside these benefits you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field whilst helping us to continue to deliver national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism solutions.
Location – Reading / Basingstoke area
Start Date – Wednesday the 27th of August 2025.
Annual leave will not be granted from 27th August until 3rd
October, due to mandatory inductions and the requirement for you to complete as
part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will
depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must
be agreed in advance.
Duration – 4.5 years (varies depending on personal performance)
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!
These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work
Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health
pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process.
All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary
security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated
areas.
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.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen 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.
