Defence STEM Summer Placement 2027

AWE; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid placements

Tuition funding

Annual bursary

Mentoring

Graduate pathway

Job summary

AWE in the United Kingdom offers two paid summer placements as part of the Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme, enabling you to combine university study with practical engineering, software or data projects and expert support.

You will complete two 9-week onsite placements at AWE sites, with tuition-fee funding up to £9,250 per year and an annual bursary up to £5,000. Successful completion may lead to fast-track consideration for AWE’s Graduate Programme.

Qualifications

• First-year students or second-year students on a four-year degree due to graduate in 2029.
• Studying Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science or Systems Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to engineering, software, systems or data challenges with practical national-security impact.
• Work with experienced engineers, scientists and technical specialists.
• Learn how advanced manufacturing, software, data and facilities are used in practice.
• Develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills across two placements.
• Explore career pathways and fast-track into AWE’s Graduate Programme after study and placements.

Education

Electrical/Electronic/CS/Engineering degree track

Job description

Two paid summer placements | Degree funding | Graduate career pathway

Why this opportunity matters

Build your future while completing your degree. Through the Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme, you will combine university study with two paid summer placements at AWE, gaining practical experience, professional support and insight into some of the UK’s most important engineering and technology challenges.

More than a summer placement

The scheme supports you across university and beyond. You will develop confidence, technical capability and professional connections, with financial support towards your studies and a potential pathway into AWE’s Graduate Programme.

At a glance

Who can apply

• First-year students, or second-year students on a four-year degree, who are due to graduate in 2029 and studying Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science or Systems Engineering.

Placements

• Two 9-week onsite summer placements between 1 July and 31 August in 2027 and 2028.

Financial support

• Tuition-fee funding of up to £9,250 per year and an annual bursary of up to £5,000, subject to scheme terms.

Security

• You must be a UK national with a UK passport, have lived in the UK for at least 10 years, and be willing and able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Location

• AWE sites in the Aldermaston area. You must be able to relocate or commute to site every day during each placement.

Academic requirement

• You must remain on track to achieve at least a 2:2 for each year in which you receive funding.

What opportunities will you have?

• Real projects: Contribute to engineering, software, systems or data challenges with practical national-security impact.
• Expert learning: Work alongside experienced engineers, scientists and technical specialists.
• Technical exposure: Explore advanced manufacturing, complex facilities, design, development and systems delivery.
• Professional growth: Build confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills across two placements.
• Career insight: Understand how different STEM disciplines contribute to AWE’s mission and explore possible career pathways.
• Graduate pathway: Receive fast-track consideration for AWE’s Graduate Programme after successfully completing your studies and placements.

What you will learn

• How engineering, science and technology combine to solve complex real-world challenges.
• How large technical programmes are designed, delivered and supported.
• The principles of systems thinking, engineering decision-making and structured problem-solving.
• How advanced manufacturing, software, data and technical facilities are used in practice.How to communicate ideas, collaborate effectively and build confidence in a professional environment.
• How your degree can be applied to meaningful work and a future graduate career.

What you will get

• Two paid 9-week summer placements at AWE in 2027 and 2028.
• Tuition-fee funding of up to £9,250 per year.
• An annual bursary of up to £5,000.
• Mentoring and support from experienced technical professionals.
• A growing professional network across AWE.
• Fast-track consideration for AWE’s Graduate Programme, subject to successful completion and selection.

Why wait for the future? Create it with AWE.

Reasonable adjustments

We want you to feel confident and informed throughout the 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 data-protection requirements.