Year in Industry- Nuclear Materials Management

Nuclear Materials 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 Nuclear Materials Trainee at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure.
- About AWE
- We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.
- Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.
- We support the UK government in a range of vital areas - from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.
- At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.
- Be extraordinary at AWE.
- Entry Requirements- Those studying nuclear science, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, systems engineering and chemistry may find themselves best suited and interested in these positions. However all Engineering and Sciences will be considered.- PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A LAB BASED ROLE.- 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
- Operations supports AWE’s mission by taking the demand from our customer programmes to deliver the products and services they need to fulfil the needs of the Defence Nuclear Organisation (Ministry of Defence) in maintaining our national security.
- We have a diverse range of products across Operations from a technical report, to experimental tests, to a fully assembled nuclear warhead. Operations is also responsible for keeping our sites open, safe and secure.
- The role will be within Nuclear Material Operations and is NOT a lab based role.
- This group provides the Company Policy & Training to support the Accountancy & Control of Strategic Materials (Accountable Nuclear Materials and Other Special Materials) They deliver the Company Annual Accounts to the Defence Nuclear Organisation for these materials and undertake independent Auditing and Verification of Strategic materials in our facilities at AWE(A) & AWE(B). They provide Suitably Qualified & Experienced Personnel Nuclear Material Inventory Control staff in facilities to oversee material moves and processing. They Maintain & Develop the Fissile Material Control System used in our Production Facilities to support Criticality Safety, Movement Control & Accountancy.
- Working in an operational facility with Nuclear Materials and undertaking respirator operations.
- Gaining an understanding of a how a Nuclear facility operates including:

- planning, production processes, safety case, criticality safety, training and generating & complying with regulation, policy & local work instructions.
- Opportunity to visit various facilities and undertake Physical Verification and Audits of Nuclear Materials and Processes.
- Opportunity to gain an appreciation of the challenges in transitioning to new facilities and providing SME knowledge into projects.
- Gaining an appreciation of the legislative Nuclear material & accountancy requirements, generation of accounts and how these support our Licensed Conditions, Defence Nuclear Security, National Audit Office, Environmental Permits and our Strategic Materials Strategy.
- Interactions with various stakeholders including our DNO customer.
- 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-
- 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

The Application Process
- Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Don't be intimidated: practice assessment