Undergraduate Placement

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?

For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.

It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?

About the Year in Industry:
This is a new position specifically created for a student undertaking a 12-month placement, who will join our Environment team.

This team is responsible for implementing AWE’s Environmental Management System, certified to ISO 14001 (internationally agreed and recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems) and driving continuous environmental improvements across the business.

The role will provide a diverse experience and will involve undertaking environmental risk assessments to identify appropriate control measures, ensuring compliance with Environmental Permit conditions and driving environmental improvements through the delivery of AWEs Environmental Sustainability Strategy and annual improvement plan. This includes projects underway to prepare for climate change resilience and the transition to net zero.

The role offers the opportunity to work across the whole project lifecycle, including the design of new facilities, large modifications of existing facilities as well as our core production and research facilities.

As an Environmental Specialist, you will be working alongside other environmental professionals interfacing with facility operators and project managers as part of an integrated team.

The role is designed to help you:

- Develop an understanding of AWE’s Environmental Management System and gain practical experience of implementation in operational areas, including projects and facilities.
- Gain experience of Environmental Risk Assessment and risk-based inspections in line with relevant legislation, industry standards and AWE's policies, procedures and guidance.
- Develop an understanding of AWE’s approach to sustainability including plans for reducing carbon, enhancing biodiversity and embedding the principles of the circular economy.
- Gain practical experience of delivering sustainability initiatives.
- Gain experience of using sustainability assessment tools.
- Develop an understanding of key pieces of environmental legislation applicable to AWE.

The Behaviours you will bring to the team
- Growth Mindset; You’re full of grit and determination. Clear where you are going and how you will get there.
- Curious; you’re a person who loves to think outside the box. (You’re a person who loves to take the box apart).
- Innovative; you’re open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
- Resilience; you’re an advocate of ‘speaking up’ for yourself and others openly and constructively.
- Team Worker; you’re dependable and reliable. You’re interested in collaborating with and supporting others.

Location

You will be based at Aldermaston, nr. Reading, Berkshire

The Benefits
- A salary of £22,250
- A market leading contributory pension scheme. We will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution.
- Every second Friday off. We do this by working a 41-hour week followed by a 33-hour week.
- 270 hours of annual leave a year, that includes an allowance for bank holidays.
- Access to the employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.

Start Date

Undergraduate Placement Induction start date will be August 2025, so please avoid taking leave during this period if you are successful. This role is offered on a 12-month contract.

Recruitment Process

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Contact us