Level 6 Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market leading pension

270 hours annual leave + every other F

Discount portal

Employee Assistance Programme

On-site learning from specialists

Job summary

AWE is offering a Level 6 Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice position in Reading. You will learn to maintain electrical systems safely and reliably, while developing skills across asset lifecycle, fault investigation and regulatory compliance.

This is a structured, on‑site apprenticeship with a clear progression path after completion. You will study toward an Electrical Engineering degree and gain hands‑on experience with power distribution, alarms, monitoring, UPS

Qualifications

• Strong interest in electrical engineering and how systems work.
• Ability to think logically and work through information step by step.
• Curiosity about large engineering systems and how they are installed and maintained.
• Willingness to learn, ask questions and follow processes.

Responsibilities

• Keep electrical equipment and systems safe, reliable and compliant.
• Learn how decisions are made in a regulated environment.
• Support asset lifecycle and reliability improvements through practical tasks.
• Work with HV/LV switchgear, UPS, lighting and monitoring equipment as part of the apprenticeship.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Education

UCAS points 112-120

T level – Merit in Engineering/Manufacturing

BTEC – DMM Engineering

GCSEs Maths/English/Science 4/C+

Job description

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.Level 6 Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree ApprenticeAbout AWEWe’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counterterrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.Be extraordinary at AWE.About the apprenticeshipAs an Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice, you will learn how to help look after the electrical systems that keep AWE’s important facilities and equipment running safely and reliably.This is not a traditional engineering role. Instead, you will focus on keeping existing electrical equipment and systems working well, improving them where needed, and making sure they meet safety and compliance requirements.You will work with experienced engineers who maintain and improve electrical infrastructure across AWE. This could include power supplies, lighting, alarms, monitoring systems and other equipment that supports our work.You will learn how engineers make sure electrical systems are safe, reliable, ready to use and fit for the future.You will also see how engineering decisions are made in a highly regulated environment, where safety, quality and following the right processes are extremely important.During the programme, you will build practical experience in areas such as:Electrical engineeringAsset lifecycle managementReliability improvementFault investigationEngineering changeElectrical safetyPlant performance monitoringRegulatory complianceElectrical Cable CalculationsAs an Electrical Engineer (Facilities & Equipment) at AWE, you may work with equipment and systems such as:HV and LV switchgear and distribution.Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)Emergency lighting systemsLightning Protection systemsPumps, fans and drives including HVAC and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)Alarm, monitoring and safety interlock systemsNuclear safety support systems and building management systems.Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeshipAfter successfully completing your apprenticeship, you could continue developing your career as an Electrical Engineer (Facilities & Equipment). As you gain more experience, you may have opportunities to move into more senior technical or leadership roles, such as:Senior Asset Engineer ElectricalSenior Electrical Design EngineerSenior Asset Engineer ReliabilityApprenticeship StandardST0024About youWe are looking for people who are curious, motivated and interested in how electrical and engineering systems work. You do not need to know everything already, but you should be keen to learn, ask questions and solve problems.We are particularly interested in candidates who can show potential in the following areas:Technical potentialAn interest in electrical engineering and how electrical systems workThe ability to think logically and work through information step by stepConfidence using maths to understand and solve problemsA structured approach to solving problemsCuriosity about how large engineering systems are installed, maintained and improvedWorking with engineering drawings and associated softwarePersonal behavioursBeing willing to ask questions when something is unclearCare and attention to detailBeing honest, responsible and professional in the way you workWorking well with other people and contributing to a teamStaying positive and continuing to learn when things are challengingLearning agilityCommunicating clearly with different people, including engineers, technicians and other apprenticesValues and mindsetTaking safety seriously in everything you doTaking responsibility for your work and following through on commitmentsAn interest in working in an environment where safety, quality and processes matterBeing comfortable following clear instructions and controlled processesCuriosity and a willingness to keep learning and improvingThese qualities are important because this role involves working safely, learning from others and making careful decisions in a technical environment.This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:Finding out how electrical systems work and what happens when they do not work as expectedSolving practical and technical problemsInvestigating why equipment has failed and how it can be fixed or improvedWorking with technology, tools and data to understand how systems are performingLooking for ways to make systems safer, more reliable and ready for the futureImproving how well equipment and systems work over timeLearning how large engineering facilities are run and maintainedWorking as part of a team with engineers, technicians and other specialistsUsing technical data to make decisionsUsing information and data to help make good engineering decisionsEntry Requirements112-120 UCAS points from one of the following: 3 A levels at least BCC including at least 1 of the following subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, StatisticsT level – Merit, Engineering and ManufacturingBTEC - DMM EngineeringGCSE Maths, English and Science at Grade 4/C or aboveDue to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August 2027.The BenefitsA starting salary of £24,500 yearly, increasing to £26,000 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.Market leading contributory pension schemeGenerous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.Access to employee discounts portal — everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisureEmployee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health ServicesAlongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism.LocationReading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on apprenticeship pathway, placements and business needs. Due to the nature of our work and security requirements, you should expect to work on-site during your apprenticeship and in your role after you complete it. Being on-site means you can learn directly from experienced technical specialists, access hands-on support and build valuable connections across the business.Start Date: 1st September 2027Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.Apprenticeship Duration:48 months including End Point AssessmentRecruitment ProcessThis vacancy will close on 1st November 2026, but we review applications as they come in—so we strongly encourage you to apply early.We want you to shine in your application process which is designed to be fair and transparent. So we've kept it simple with a three step process.Online application: Apply for one apprenticeship; take your time to explore the options and choose the one that best matches your interests and goals.Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Do not be intimidated: practice assessments will be available so you will be fully equipped with the knowledge of what to expect.In person assessment: Those successful at testing will be invited to an assessment centre. The Assessment Centre is scheduled for 24th February 2027. Please note that this date may be subject to change, but rest assured, we’ll keep all applicants informed throughout the process.These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process. All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.If you choose to share information on your application form about support needs, learning differences, disabilities, health conditions or adjustments, we may contact you to understand how we can support you through the recruitment process. This information will only be used for this purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.Contact usIf you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at [e-mail] steps:Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.Important things you need to know:We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.