Graduate Vacuum Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Final salary defined benefit pension (

21.5% employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave + Christmas/priv.

Flexible working options

Skern Lodge residential

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority invites graduates to join its prestigious Graduate Development Programme in the Tokamak Systems area. You will work alongside world-class experts on fusion technology while building core technical, project management, and leadership competencies.

Eligible graduates from 2025 to 2027, with a passion for learning and a collaborative mindset, can apply for a structured development path that enhances professional registration and career progression.

Qualifications

• Degree in science or engineering is required.
• Strong willingness to learn and tackle new challenges.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Support development of fusion vacuum engineering solutions for MAST-U.
• Contribute to real-world engineering projects from design to testing.
• Collaborate with engineers and specialists to grow technical and leadership skills.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Planning

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Science or Engineering

Graduating 2025–2027

Job description

• Division: Plasma Science and Fusion Operations
• Position Grade: Graduate Y1
• Department: Tokamak Systems

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?

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 groundbreaking 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.

How you'll develop

• Help deliver innovative vacuum engineering solutions that support one of the UK's most advanced fusion experiments, MAST-U.


• Work on a variety of real-world engineering projects, from designing and specifying equipment to testing, commissioning and improving system performance.


• Collaborate with experienced engineers and technical specialists to solve complex challenges while developing your technical, project management and leadership skills through our accredited graduate programme, recognised by IMechE, IET and IoP, supporting your journey towards professional registration.

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

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] 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.