Nuclear Safety Assessment Specialist – Year in Industry

Why this role matters

Use risk assessment and technical analysis to help keep complex facilities, operations and programmes safe. You will assess hazards, explore accident scenarios and support safety cases that protect people, the environment and national security. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A LAB BASED ROLE.

At a glance

Entry requirement

You should be working towards a STEM-related degree and be on track to achieve a minimum 2:2 by August 2027. This is not a lab-based role. You must be graduating in either 2029 or 2030.

Security clearance

You must be a UK national, hold a UK passport, have lived in the UK for the past 10 years and be willing and able to obtain and maintain DV security clearance

Working pattern

A full-time, 9-day working fortnight, with every second Friday off. This is an office-based role at Aldermaston, near Reading. Due to the nature and security of the work, we cannot guarantee opportunities to work from home.

Key dates

Applications close: 31 October 2026

Start date: 2 August 2027

What you could work on

• Risk and hazard assessment: Support the analysis of nuclear, radiological, chemical, explosives and other major hazards.

• Accident scenarios: Help model potential failures and identify controls that prevent or reduce their consequences.

• Safety cases: Contribute to the development and review of safety assessments, justifications and technical reports.

• Technical collaboration: Work with operators, facility management, engineers, scientists and regulators across the project lifecycle.

Why being onsite will support your development

This is an office-based placement. Due to the nature and security of our work, we cannot guarantee opportunities to work from home for part of the week. Being onsite means you will learn directly from subject matter experts, receive hands-on support and build connections across technical and operational teams. This day-to-day access can accelerate your development and help you get more from your placement year.

The key skills we’re looking for

• Analytical thinking: You enjoy breaking down complex information, testing evidence and reaching balanced conclusions.

• Technical curiosity: You want to understand how systems can fail and how risks can be controlled.

• Attention to detail: You can work carefully, follow requirements and communicate evidence accurately.

• Collaboration: You can learn from specialists, ask questions and contribute positively to multidisciplinary teams.

Where this placement could take you

You will gain practical experience in major hazard assessment, safety case development, regulation, technical reporting and stakeholder engagement. The placement can prepare you for careers in nuclear safety, risk management, safety engineering, regulation or related technical fields, with the potential to return to AWE through a future graduate opportunity, subject to performance and available roles.

What happens after you apply

1. Online application: Submit your application as soon as possible.

2. Online testing: If eligible, you will complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments, with practice materials available.

3. Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre, expected between October 2026 and January 2027.

4. Pre-assessment support: You will receive practical guidance on what to expect.

5. Offer and clearance: If successful, you will move into the offer and security-clearance stages ahead of joining in August 2027.