Graduate Mechanical Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Annual leave

Flexible working

Skern Lodge residential

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority is offering a Graduate Development Programme in Mechanical Engineering in Abingdon, England. You will join a structured scheme to design, test and mature fusion‑grade mechanical systems while developing technical, professional and leadership skills for registration as a professional engineer.

You will spend time across the engineering lifecycle, work with world‑leading experts, and experience different project roles to shape your future career in fusion energy.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related subject.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative mechanical systems that support the future of fusion energy.
• Gain hands‑on experience across the full engineering lifecycle, from early concepts and design through testing, commissioning and operation.
• Perform thermal and structural analyses for a range of fusion‑grade components.
• Present work undertaken to the wider team and capture this by writing up technical reports.
• Help to plan and deliver technical work, coordinating tasks, budgets and timescales.
• Work with external suppliers to ensure equipment and services meet standards.
• Support the manufacture, assembly, testing and improvement of advanced engineering equipment and technologies.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Organization

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

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 world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by 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?

If you're looking for your first graduate role and want a career that's meaningful, challenging, and packed with opportunities to grow, UKAEA's Graduate Development Programme could be the perfect next step.

Working alongside world-leading experts, you'll help advance ground breaking fusion technology while building the technical, professional, and leadership skills needed for a successful career. This is your chance to be part of an industry that's helping create a sustainable future for generations to come.

What you'll do

• Help design and develop innovative mechanical systems that support the future of fusion energy.
• Gain hands‑on experience across the full engineering lifecycle, from early concepts and design through to testing, commissioning and operation.
• Perform thermal and structural analyses for a range of fusion‑grade components.
• Present work undertaken to the wider team and capture this by writing up technical reports.
• Help to plan and deliver technical work, coordinating tasks, budgets and timescales.
• Work with external suppliers to make sure equipment and services meet the required standards.
• Support the manufacture, assembly, testing and improvement of advanced engineering equipment and technologies.
• Develop your technical, project management and leadership skills through our accredited graduate programme, supporting your journey towards professional registration.

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 Mechanical Engineering or closely related subject from 2025 to 2027.
• 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.

Benefits

• £35,227 base salary.
• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% 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

UKAEA's 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] if 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.