Graduate- Estate Strategy and Planning

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-leading pension scheme

270 hours of annual leave

9-day working fortnight

Salary-sacrifice scheme

Life Assurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston is offering a two-year Graduate Trainee placement in Estates Strategy and Planning under the Evolve Graduate Programme. The role is onsite in the Reading area with a starting salary of £31,000 plus benefits.

As a trainee you will gain experience in strategic planning, asset management, investment and energy management, and will develop data analysis and stakeholder engagement to help shape the estate’s future.

Qualifications

• 2:2 minimum degree in any discipline.
• Available to join in September 2027.
• British National and able to obtain security clearance.
• Willing to work onsite and complete Occupational Health pre-employment assessment.

Responsibilities

• Support development of long-term estate strategies and plans.
• Contribute to asset-management plans and future capability planning.
• Support infrastructure investment proposals, options appraisal and business-case development.
• Analyse estate, asset and energy data to support evidence-based decisions.
• Contribute to energy, carbon reduction, sustainability and environmental strategies.
• Work with project teams to align plans with business needs and value for money.

Skills

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

2:2 minimum degree

Job description

Graduate Trainee – Estates Strategy and Planning Programme – Evolve Graduate Programme

Salary: £31,000 starting salary plus benefits. Location: Aldermaston, Reading area, Berkshire (onsite). Duration: Two years. Start date: September 2027. Working pattern: 9-day working fortnight.

About AWE

We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent and wider national‑security capabilities through science, engineering, technology and specialist expertise.

Programme purpose

The Estates Strategy and Plans team shapes the long‑term development, performance and sustainability of AWE’s estate. As a Graduate, you will support the strategies, plans and evidence that ensure infrastructure and assets remain safe, efficient and fit for purpose. The two‑year programme will build your analytical, technical, commercial and stakeholder‑engagement capability. You will learn how strategic planning, asset management, investment, sustainability and energy objectives come together in a complex and highly regulated organisation.

Key activities and responsibilities

• Support the development of long‑term estate strategies and plans that keep infrastructure safe, efficient and fit for purpose.
• Contribute to asset‑management plans, requirements capture and future capability planning.
• Support infrastructure investment proposals, options appraisal and business‑case development.
• Analyse complex estate, asset and energy data to support evidence‑based decisions.
• Contribute to energy, carbon‑reduction, efficiency and environmental‑impact strategies.
• Work with project teams, operational users and technical specialists to align plans with business needs and value for money.

Learning and development

• How estate strategies and asset‑management plans are developed, governed and aligned to organisational objectives.
• How infrastructure investment proposals and business cases balance cost, risk, performance and future capability.
• Requirements capture, options appraisal, data analysis and evidence‑based decision‑making.
• How strategic estate planning links with project delivery and operational priorities.
• Energy management, carbon reduction, sustainability and environmental performance across a complex estate.
• Stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing across multidisciplinary teams.

Career development and progression

You will gain exposure to strategic planning, infrastructure investment, asset‑management principles, business‑case development, project delivery, operations, sustainability and energy management. Following successful completion, you will be well positioned to develop within Estates Strategy and Planning or a related discipline, with increasing responsibility for investment decisions and strategic direction.

Behaviours and qualities

• Proactive: You take ownership, show initiative and look for practical ways to add value.
• Analytical: You can interpret complex information and use evidence to support recommendations.
• Collaborative: You build constructive relationships and value the knowledge of different stakeholders.
• Organised: You can manage competing priorities and deliver work to a high standard.
• Detail focused: You understand the importance of accuracy, quality and compliance.
• Adaptable: You respond positively to changing priorities and new challenges.

Entry requirements

• 2:2 Minimum degree grade in any degree discipline
• You must be available to join AWE in September 2027.
• You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.
• You must be willing to work onsite and complete an Occupational Health pre‑employment assessment.

Salary and benefits

• £31,000 starting salary.
• A market‑leading contributory pension scheme.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A 9‑day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
• A salary‑sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and employee discounts.
• A welcome payment and the option of an interest‑free £1,000 loan.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression.

Support and community

• A dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead.
• A buddy, typically from an earlier Graduate cohort.
• A supportive Early Careers community and access to employee networks.
• Structured development, leadership activity and relevant professional learning.

Security and operational requirements

You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance. The role is onsite and successful candidates must complete the required Occupational Health pre‑employment assessment.

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

AWE aims to create workplaces where differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process, with inclusion information handled in accordance with GDPR.

Important information

You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process. Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process. We strive 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.

We are at the start of a once in a generation – possibly two generations – programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state‑of‑the‑art capital and construction projects – some of which have never been done before.

We are recruiting right across the business: from technical roles in engineering, science, manufacturing and industrial work to business roles in areas such as IT, project management/ controls, commercial, human resources and facilities management. We also have our Evolve graduate programme, or you may be interested in an apprenticeship with our award‑winning Skills Academy.

What we do is vital to national nuclear security. Keeping our nation, everyone, our environment and everything around us safe and secure is a top priority for us. So, as you would expect, that brings with it a high level of safety and security that you will see across our sites and in how everyone who works here operates.

We are always looking for high calibre people to join our team, so why not explore the opportunities we currently have on offer. Whatever stage of your career, AWE is an exciting and challenging environment to develop your skills and achieve your potential.