Apply early: recruitment is rolling and applications will close once all positions have been filled.
Why this role matters
How to stand out at AWE
Salma's advice for applicants.
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Join the Liabilities team, which sets direction and manages nuclear, radiological, chemical and explosive waste alongside the safe decommissioning and demolition of associated facilities. Through structured placements, you will gain experience across the full liabilities lifecycle and see how strategy, projects, operations, engineering, safety and waste specialists work together.
A multidisciplinary route into a growing sector
We welcome graduates from technical and non-technical backgrounds. The programme is designed to build broad capability across decommissioning, waste, project delivery, risk, regulation and leadership, opening multiple career pathways within AWE and the wider nuclear sector.
At a glance
Salary: £31,000 starting salary plus benefits.
Location: AWE sites in the Reading area, Berkshire - onsite.
Programme: Two-year Evolve Graduate Programme.
Security: You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.
What opportunities will you have?
Programme delivery: Support decommissioning, demolition and waste programmes from strategy through to delivery.
Long-term planning: Contribute to liabilities strategy, integration and planning.
Risk and compliance: Apply risk-based thinking and support safe systems of work, permits and compliance activity.
Multidisciplinary working: Collaborate with capability sponsors, projects, engineering, safety, operations, facilities, waste, commercial and procurement teams.
Improvement and coordination: Support reporting, coordination, data-informed decisions and continuous improvement.
Leadership exposure: Build organisational awareness through varied placements and potential leadership shadowing
What you will learn
The full lifecycle of liabilities management, decommissioning, demolition and waste.
How strategy, projects, engineering, operations, facilities and safety disciplines work together.
Project-delivery principles through the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.
Core health and safety through IOSH Working Safely or Managing Safely.
Lean and continuous-improvement techniques, including Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt capability.
Nuclear professionalism, regulatory awareness, risk management and safe systems of work.
Stakeholder engagement, planning, problem-solving, reporting and digital tools such as Excel or Power BI.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:2 in a relevant technical or general degree. Suitable backgrounds include engineering, science, sustainability, policy, project management, business, economics, geography, law, supply chain, logistics, finance or accounting.
The behaviours and qualities we're looking for
Proactive: You take ownership and want to make a practical difference.
Collaborative: You enjoy working across disciplines and learning from specialists.
Organised: You can manage priorities, plan work and deliver to deadlines.
Analytical: You use evidence and structured thinking to address complex issues.
Adaptable: You respond positively as placements, priorities and challenges change.
Safety focused: You understand the importance of quality, compliance and careful decision-making.
What you will get
£31,000 starting salary.
A market-leading contributory pension scheme.
270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and 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.
Recruitment process and key dates
Online application: Apply for the pathway that best matches your interests and goals.
Online assessment: If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments. Practice materials will be available.
Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre, expected to run during December 2026 and January 2027.
Pre-assessment support: Attend guidance webinars so you know what to expect and can prepare.
Offer and clearance: Successful candidates will move into the offer, medical where required, and security-clearance stages before joining in September 2027.
Reasonable adjustments
We want you to feel confident and supported throughout the application process. Tell us if a reasonable adjustment would help. Any inclusion information will be used only to support your application and handled in accordance with GDPR.
(This means that we will supply feedback if requested after an interview.)
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Job ID Number: R32523
Can I use AI to apply?
We are open to you using AI to support your research or to help prepare you for interviews. However, we strongly recommend you do not use it to give you answers to questions as we will not get to know the real you.
