Graduate Vacuum Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Final salary pension

25 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Relocation allowance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority invites graduates to join its Development Programme, starting a journey into fusion energy research and engineering. You will work with world‑leading experts on projects that advance vacuum engineering and system performance, while building technical and leadership skills through an accredited programme.

We seek 2025–2027 graduates in Science or Engineering who are eager to learn, adaptable, and able to communicate across technical and non‑technical audiences.

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 deliver innovative vacuum engineering solutions for 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.

Skills

Degree in Science or Engineering

Driven

Collaborative

Organised

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 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] 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. As we're expecting strong interest, we encourage you to apply early, as the vacancy may close sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.More information can be found here .

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstandingdefined benefit pension scheme,details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporatebonus schemeup to7%and aRelocationallowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working optionsincluding family friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programmeand trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leaveallowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• A vibrantculturecommitted to equality and being fullyinclusive

What can I expect from the application process at UKAEA?

Once you have submitted a formal application via our website, all CVs will be reviewed shortly after the closing date of the advert.

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world's energy? If so, read on.

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 realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovation, Commitment, Trust, and Collaboration.