Project Management - 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 Project Manager at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure.

Entry Requirements

• Interested candidates will most likely be studying a project management or business management degree however all degree disciplines will be considered.

• 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

AWE is a high performing streamlined business, delivering extraordinary products. Our P3M (Portfolio, Programme, Project Management) Function supports this by ensuring the flawless delivery of projects (facility construction, science, product manufacture and IT) safely, securely, to budget, to the correct quality and on time.

By joining us as an Undergraduate Student, you will not only gain knowledge and experience on the content and application of industry best practice project management principles but will also make a direct and visible contribution to the successful manufacture and delivery of our product and developing estate.

The placement will add to this, through a structured learning experience of both task-based learning and scheduled, often external training opportunities. Given the specialist nature of our collective task, there is little doubt that the experience and network you will build will add to your personal and career development.

Exact taskings will depend on the projects available at the time. Previous undergraduate students have been assigned independent low to medium complexity tasks and work packages within a larger project. In all cases, year in industry students have been, and will be supported and mentored by experienced project personnel, well versed in AWE processes.

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.