Control and Instrumentation Technical Author Apprenticeship (Level 3 Advanced)
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
Control and Instrumentation (C&I) is one of the critical professions at AWE, playing a vital role in our mission to keep the nation safe and secure. C&I engineers develop and maintain systems that monitor and adjust different aspects of complex operations, such as the flow of water, or the temperature of a room, or the controlling and operating of our Orion LASER system.
During your apprenticeship, you will learn how to:
Work with advanced measurement systems that monitor pressure, level, flow, temperature, and more.
Develop and implement control systems that adjust processes based on these measurements.
Utilise both hardware and software to design, automate, and maintain machinery and processes.
Technical Authors are specialists who generate written instructions on how to perform technical tasks in a safe, controlled way. At AWE, you will be producing documentation that explains how to safely build, support and service the UK’s nuclear deterrent. This includes:
Collecting and editing complex information.
Producing new documents like manuals and instructions, and updating or rewriting existing documents.
Commissioning photographs or illustrations.
Working on digital or multi-channel content like blogs, e-learning, or podcasts.
Testing what you've written with content users.
How your career path will look like:
18 months based in the Skills Academy to develop a basic knowledge of C&I and learn the associated skills. Your knowledge will be furthered through day release at college.
18 months split between 3-month placements within different areas of the business applying your skills in a live working environment. This will include servicing, repairing, and installing various systems to support our facilities.
After 3 years, your apprenticeship is completed and you become a qualified maintenance engineer.
Your final year will be spent building your skills as a Technical Author, gaining a Diploma in Technical Communication.
About You:
A practical aptitude for engineering or technology
Good command of grammar and vocabulary.
Excellent team working skills
Good communication skills
Awareness of health and safety
Ability to follow instructions
A passion and motivation for this profession
Entry Requirements:
5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English at grade 5/B or above and Mathematics at 4/C
Applicants must be aged 16 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.
If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a degree level apprenticeship
The Benefits
A starting salary of £16750 yearly. This increases annually with second year salary being £22,250.
Market leading contributory pension scheme
Generous holiday entitlement of 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 – Initially based in Aldermaston (Reading / Basingstoke area), but must be prepared to work across all AWE sites as required.
Start date - August 2025.
Duration - 4 years
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: when clicking through to apply, the job title will display as ‘Control and Instrumentation Technical Author' but reflects the same role
