Graduate Scheme 2027 - Process Design Engineering

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited; Risley; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited is recruiting for a 2-year Process Design Engineering Graduate scheme starting September 2027 across the Northwest sites (Cheshire, Preston, Lancashire or West Cumbria).

You will rotate through projects, gain broad process engineering experience and contribute to safety, environment and energy initiatives while being supported by mentors and a dedicated early careers team.

Qualifications

• Graduated with 2:1 or higher in Chemical Engineering.
• Eligibility to work in the UK and ability to obtain SC-level security clearance.
• Interest in nuclear sector and safety/regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of a varied portfolio of Process Engineering tasks and projects.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Document work in technical reports and ensure compliance with standards.
• Benefit from a structured two-year programme with mentorship and development.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Curiosity and motivation

Education

2:1 Chemical Engineering

Job description

UKNNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) which aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Graduate Scheme 2027 - Process Design Engineering

2026-10-01 14:12:01

Category: Apprentice & Graduates

Salary: Salary starting at £38,877

Closing Date: 2026-12-01

Location: Risley, Cheshire

The salary for this position is £38,877 (Grade 5A)

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact [e-mail]

Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter.

If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team.

Job Description

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At UKNNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

UKNNL is where your solutions solve real-world problems. As a Process Design Engineering Graduate, you’ll not only be able to get involved with a huge variety of projects, but you’ll also have lots of opportunity to drive them through from start to finish — allowing you to see the impact your work has in a real-world environment. This is your chance to use your experience, expertise and ingenuity to collaborate with leading scientists. You’ll be part of a team that delivers work to benefit society by advancing cleaner energy, protecting the environment and keeping everyone safe.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at UKNNL, anything is possible.

We are developing the next generation of technical experts. Not only will you receive the opportunity to work on exciting and rewarding projects, but you’ll continually learn from skilled and knowledgeable industry experts who are leaders in their field.

We will help you become everything you can be, by challenging, stretching, and pushing you to your limits while supporting you every step of the way.

To join the UKNNL graduate programme you will have graduated, or be on course to graduate, with a 2:1 or higher in Chemical Engineering.

You will have the right to work in the UK, have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and be able to achieve SC level security clearance.

You will be naturally curious with the drive and motivation to discover more about yourself and our business.

Forward-thinking, proactive and positive, you will bring your own energy to the team and you’ll have an enquiring mind that helps us to discover solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.

You will have excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.

Main Responsibilities

As a Process Design Engineering Graduate you will support the delivery of a varied portfolio of Process Engineering tasks and projects, from ensuring that UKNNL facilities remain operational (asset care design work) through to the delivery of new build projects, supporting the R&D requirements of both internal R&D and that of our external customers and government strategic planning.

You will work with other teams and across sites operated by UKNNL, working in a multidiscipline engineering team to deliver fit for purpose engineering solutions that fulfil customer, regulator, and key stakeholders’ requirements. You will deliver solutions which meet all required statutory site and national safety standards, and in accordance with UKNNL’s design assurance process to meet our customer’s schedule to implement and transfer the solution to normal operations.

Throughout the graduate programme you will have the support of our experienced early careers team, your line manager, mentor, colleagues, and fellow graduates.

You will acquire a depth of knowledge and specific technical skills in a particular area of our business. You will experience the full life cycle of our projects; from liaising with customers to understand their needs, planning work and developing new methods and processes, to documenting your work effectively in technical reports.

Our graduates support us in many areas of the business from business development to product innovation, project delivery and environment, health, safety, security & quality.

You will join an organisation where you are free to be yourself whilst being part of our incredible early career’s community. UKNNL is creating a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging through our ED&I Ambassador network and relationships with Women in Nuclear (WiN), Race Equality in Nuclear (REiN) and the Nuclear Rainbow Forum.

Your programme starts with a tailored, induction programme to welcome you into the business and to get to know your graduate cohort. The Induction will help you understand the breadth of what UKNNL does and to provide an overview of your development programme and our expectations.You will then embark on your two-year graduate scheme undertaking a programme of activities designed to help you develop your understanding of the nuclear industry and grow as an individual, these include:

• Understanding UKNNL, the nuclear sector and nuclear professionalism
• The application of professional knowledge and skill
• Personal development and understanding your own personal brand
• Collaboration and team working
• Understanding our customer and making effective decisions

You will complete your programme with a focussed training centre to support your seamless transition off the scheme to continue your career and professional development with UKNNL. We provide support as you actively work towards professional recognition in your chosen field.

You will be based at one of our sites in the Northwest of England - Cheshire, Preston, Lancashire or West Cumbria. The role allows for hybrid working with the flexibility to work from home on some of your working days. You will travel, when necessary, between the various UKNNL sites, dependent on project needs.

As part of the selection process for the graduate programme you should expect to complete online assessments. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an in-person assessment centre which will assess technical and behavioural competencies. Assessment Centres for this role will be held in February 2027.You will start your graduate programme in early September 2027.