Engineering - Year in Industry Programme 2026

Starting salary £23,500 + plus benefits and welcome bonus | Office based in Aldermaston, nr Reading, Berkshire.

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.

Entry Requirements

We are looking for engineers studying a degree across a whole range of disciplines, the opportunities to explore a one-year placement at AWE are endless across our engineering function, as such we are able to accept students onto placement from any of these disciplines:

• Manufacturing, Mechanical, Design, Aerospace, Chemical, Automotive, Electrical, Robotics, Mechatronic, Systems, Materials, Civil, Nuclear Engineering.

• 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. We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, we will close.

What to Expect on the Programme

Completing your Year in Industry 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.

• 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

• At the end of the placement, you will leave with a strong understanding and experience of Engineering design, systems, process and manufacturing (that can be applied across many industries) and a feeling of satisfaction that you have made a real difference both to yourself and to AWE.

• This role will be based at our Aldermaston site in Berkshire which is served by public transport from both Reading and Basingstoke. It will start in August 2026 and last for 12 months. On occasion some of our placement positions may be offered the opportunity to work in other AWE area such as Green Park in Reading, Leicester Space Park or other AWE hubs across the country, you will be spoken to about this by your line manager after starting placement, to see if it would work with your own personal arrangements.

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

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.

You must be a British National, able to start in August 2026, and eligible for security clearance. Applications close on Friday 24th October, but 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.

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.

Who We’re Looking For:

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.