Engineering Technician – Level 3 Apprenticeship

Prospects; Reading; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Full time

Job summary

AWE is offering an on-site Engineering Apprenticeship across mechanical maintenance, electrical maintenance, control and instrumentation maintenance, precision machining, and mechatronic maintenance. You will build practical engineering skills while working with real tools and equipment.

Entry requires 5 GCSEs including Maths and English; British nationals aged 17+ by 31 August 2027 are invited to apply and must be willing to obtain security clearance for work in designated areas.

Qualifications

• Entry requirement: 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English.
• Security clearance: willingness to obtain and maintain clearance for the role and designated areas.
• Engineering pathways: Mechanical Maintenance, Electrical Maintenance, Control & Instrumentation, Precision Machining and Mechatronic Maintenance.

Responsibilities

• This is an onsite, hands-on apprenticeship.
• Learn from experienced engineers and use real tools and equipment.
• Move into an engineering role aligned to your trained pathway after completion.
• Security clearance is required to work in designated areas.

Skills

Practical interest

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs incl Maths & English

Job description

Build practical engineering skills that support AWE’s facilities, equipment and systems. You’ll apply through one Engineering Apprenticeship route, which includes the following pathways: mechanical maintenance, electrical maintenance, control and instrumentation maintenance, precision machining and mechatronic maintenance. Entry requirement 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English. Applicants must be British Nationals and aged 17 or over by 31 August 2027. Security clearance You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role and work in designated areas. Engineering pathways Mechanical Maintenance, Electrical Maintenance, Control & Instrumentation, Precision Machining and Mechatronic Maintenance.

Key dates

Applications close: 31 January 2027 | Activity sessions: 20 January, 27 January and 22 February 2027 | Assessment centres: February–March 2027 | Start date: 1 September 2027

Why being onsite will support your development

This is an onsite, hands‑on apprenticeship. Being onsite will help you learn from experienced engineers and technical specialists, use real tools and equipment, and understand how engineering supports AWE’s unique facilities and operations.

The key skills we’re looking for

• Practical interest: You enjoy understanding how things work and learning by doing.
• Problem-solving: You can take a logical and structured approach to practical challenges.
• Attention to detail: You can check work carefully and understand why standards matter.
• Teamwork: You can communicate clearly, follow instructions and work with others towards a shared goal.

Where this apprenticeship could take you

After successful completion, and subject to business need and your career aspirations, you’ll move into a role aligned to the engineering pathway you have trained in, supporting some of the UK’s most unique facilities, equipment, processes and technologies.

We are AWE. We're a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure. Our work is critical. We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for the UK's nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies that keep the nation safe. AWE’s support for the government’s strategy takes many facets: from supporting the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UK’s counter terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology.