Graduate Advanced Control Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Clifton Hampden; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Annual leave

Flexible working

Skern Lodge residential

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority offers a Graduate Y1 placement in the Advanced Control department. You will join a fusion energy program and contribute to software for automation, data acquisition and scientific computing using C++, Python and AI.

The scheme allocates 20% of time to professional development and 80% to role-based work within multidisciplinary teams, with mentoring and a focus on delivering high-quality software in a safe, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science or Engineering (2025–2027).
• Driven with a strong appetite to learn and take on new challenges.
• Able to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Well organized and adaptable with the ability to plan and prioritize workload.

Responsibilities

• Develop software solutions using C++, Python and AI for fusion research and engineering projects.
• Contribute to design, testing and deployment of software for automation, control systems, data acquisition, scientific computing and machine learning.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to solve technical challenges and deliver high-quality software.
• Apply software engineering best practices, including testing, version control, documentation and continuous improvement.
• Build technical and professional skills through hands-on experience, mentoring and collaboration in a safe and inclusive environment.

Skills

C++

Python

AI

Software testing

Education

Degree in Science or Engineering

Tools

Git

Job description

• Position Grade: Graduate Y1


• Department: Advanced Control

Job Description

About us

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our worldbadly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industryand research organisations to achieveground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the gridby developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

What you'll join

Your degree got you this far. Where could fusion energy take you?

What you'll do

• Develop software solutions using technologies such as C++, Python and AI to support cutting-edge fusion research and engineering projects.


• Contribute to the design, testing and deployment of software for automation, control systems, data acquisition, scientific computing and machine learning applications.


• Work with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex technical challenges, develop innovative solutions and deliver high-quality software.


• Apply software engineering best practices, including testing, version control, documentation and continuous improvement.


• Build your technical, problem-solving and professional skills through hands‑on experience, mentoring and collaboration in a safe and inclusive environment.

How you'll develop

On the graduate scheme here at the UK Atomic Energy Authority, you will have 20% of your time focused on professional and personal development. This will include a series of core development activities to fast track your business acumen, along with skills for technical, project management and people leadership.

The remaining 80% of time is role‑based, working within a team growing your technical knowledge within your chosen discipline. Working with your line manager, you will get the opportunity to experience different roles and responsibilities within projects to broaden your understanding and help decide your future career route.

What you'll need

• Degree in Science or Engineering from 2025 to2027.


• Driven, with a strong appetite to learn and take on new challenges.


• Able to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.


• Well organised and adaptable with the ability to plan and prioritise workload.

We have a generous range of benefits (see the full list here ) and highlights include:

• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of21.5% employer pension contribution.


• 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.


• Flexible working options plus family‑friendly leave provisions.


• Take part in our Skern Lodge residential to develop new skills and build your network.

Our commitment to ED&I

UKAEAs mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] you have any questions or require any help or adjustments.

AI may be used for preparation purposes only. All responses submitted during interviews and assessments must be your own work.

To maintain a fair recruitment process, candidates are limited to two applications across our Early Careers programmes. If you apply for multiple roles, we may contact you to discuss which opportunities best match your skills and interests.

Applications are due to close at 23:59 on 8th November 2026. As we're expecting strong interest, we encourage you to apply early, as the vacancy may close sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.More information can be found here .