Graduate HR Specialist - Generalist

Turn people insight into better organisational decisions and performance.

Build a career with purpose

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.

Gain experience across HR Business Partnering, Organisational Design and Organisational Intelligence. You will work with leaders, people data and organisational insight to support strategic people priorities, workforce decisions and change.

What you will do

• Support HR Business Partners in understanding business priorities and translating them into people activity

• Prepare workforce information and evidence for people planning and leadership discussions

• Contribute to organisational design by gathering information, mapping structures and supporting option assessment

• Analyse people and organisational data to identify patterns, risks and opportunities

• Support workforce planning, change and organisational effectiveness projects

• Connect business needs with specialist HR solutions

• Build relationships with leaders, managers and colleagues and ask effective questions

• Apply governance, confidentiality, GDPR and security requirements to workforce information

What you will gain

Alongside meaningful work and support from experienced colleagues, you will develop capability in:

• HR business partnering and strategic people planning

• Organisational design, workforce planning and change support

• Organisational intelligence, people analytics and insight development

• Consulting skills, stakeholder influencing and evidence-based recommendations

• How people strategy, structure and capability support organisational performance

Your structured development will include CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management.

What we are looking for

You do not need to arrive with all the answers. We are looking for curious, collaborative and adaptable graduates who use evidence, communicate professionally and are ready to learn.

• A minimum 2:2 in Human Resource Management, Business, Organisational/Business Psychology or Psychology

• You must be able to join AWE in September 2027

• You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance

What you will receive

• £31,000 starting salary

• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays

• A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off

• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme and access to 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

• A dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead

• A buddy, typically from an earlier Graduate cohort

• A vibrant Early Careers community and opportunities to join employee networks

• Structured development, mentoring and access to relevant professional learning

How to apply

• Complete an online application

• If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments

• If successful, attend a virtual assessment centre

• Use the available guidance webinars and practice materials to prepare

• If offered a place, complete the required security-clearance stages before joining

Applications open: 2 November 2026. Virtual assessment centres are expected during December 2026 and January 2027.

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.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply for Graduate HR Specialist - Generalist and start building a career that supports people, organisational capability and the UK’s national security mission.