Graduate HR Specialist - HR Operations

Help deliver great people services and a positive employee experience.

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 Services, Onboarding, Employee Relations and Reward. You will help deliver and continuously improve the services, processes and support that employees and managers rely on throughout the employee lifecycle.

What you will do

• Support accurate, timely and customer-focused HR services

• Help coordinate onboarding and create a well-organised welcome for new starters

• Respond to routine HR enquiries and escalate sensitive or complex matters appropriately

• Support Employee Relations activity through accurate records, coordination and document preparation

• Contribute to reward and benefits activity, including communications, data checks and administration

• Use service data and employee feedback to identify improvement opportunities

• Help make HR processes and guidance clear, consistent and easy to use

• Handle personal and sensitive information professionally and securely

What you will gain

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

• End-to-end employee lifecycle processes and HR service delivery

• Onboarding, employee relations and reward fundamentals

• HR policy interpretation, case administration and service standards

• Process improvement, customer experience and operational controls

• HR systems, people data, confidentiality and professional judgement

Your structured development will include A relevant professional qualification.

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 - HR Operations and start building a career that supports people, organisational capability and the UK’s national security mission.