Graduate Mechanical Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Final salary pension contribution

25 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Skern Lodge residential

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority invites graduates to join its flagship Graduate Development Programme in the UK. You'll work with world-leading experts to design and develop robotic and mechanical systems for fusion energy, gaining hands-on experience across concept through testing and operation.

The scheme splits time between development activities and role-based work, helping you build technical, project management and leadership skills, with support for professional registration.

Qualifications

• Degree in Science or Engineering 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.

Responsibilities

• Help design and develop innovative robotic and 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.
• Work with engineers and technical specialists to solve real-world engineering challenges and deliver exciting projects.
• 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.

Skills

Adaptability

Collaboration

Communication

Organisation

Education

Degree in Science or Engineering

Job description

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 groundbreaking 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 robotic and 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.
• Work with engineers and technical specialists to solve real-world engineering challenges and deliver exciting projects.
• 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 Science or Engineering 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.

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

• 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.