Nuclear Safety Case Assessor

AWE plc; Spencers Wood; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nuclear safety organization in the UK seeks an Undergraduate Nuclear Safety Specialist for a one-year placement. The role involves assessing nuclear hazards, contributing to safety assessments, and fostering skills in a collaborative environment. Ideal candidates hold an Engineering or Science-based degree and must be a British National eligible for security clearance. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive salary of £23,500 and a work/life balance with a 9-day working fortnight.

Benefits

£23,500 salary

270 hours of leave annually

9-day working fortnight

Salary-sacrifice benefit scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum of a 2:2 degree required by August 2026.
• Eligible for security clearance as a British National.
• No lab-based role; must be eager to apply skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess and analyze nuclear hazards in various facilities.
• Support development of safety assessments and justifications.
• Continuously understand health and safety legislation.

Skills

Problem-solving

Curiosity

Collaboration

Integrity

Resilience

Education

Environmental Science and Ecology

Physics

Engineering Management

Civil Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Job description

Overview

We are offering a rewarding and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Nuclear Safety Specialist at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure. As a nuclear safety case assessor, you will work as part of a team to assess the risk and consequences of design, engineering, and operational failures. This will include modelling accident scenarios and identifying controls to prevent them. The role offers the opportunity to work across the whole project lifecycle including design of new facilities, large modifications of existing facilities, production facilities, research & development facilities, and decommissioning facilities as part of a structured two-year development programme. The role also provides the opportunity to develop an understanding of how AWE interacts with its regulators. You will be engaged in technical problem-solving, preparing detailed reports to argue and justify the tolerability of nuclear, radiological, environmental, and conventional hazards, whilst liaising with a diverse group of people at many levels within the company including operators, facility management, engineers, and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Develop skills in major hazard assessment and support the analysis and assessment of nuclear, radiological, chemical, explosives and other major hazards associated with actual, planned and/or decommissioned facilities, plant, equipment, or product.
• Gain experience in the development of safety assessments and justifications (e.g., Safety Cases) in line with relevant legislation, industry standards and AWE's policies, procedures and guidance.
• Continuously develop their understanding of current health and safety legislation, the ONR licensing regime and the fundamental application of the ALARP principle.
• Contribute to the production and review of safety assessments and justifications (supervised).
• Complete online tests (numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive assessments) if shortlisted; practice materials will be provided.
• Participate in a virtual Assessment Centre (AC) for successful candidates, with pre-assessment webinars guiding you.
• We are interested in any Engineering or Science based degree – though please note this is not a lab-based role.
• Provide evidence of a minimum of a 2:2 in your degree by August 2026.
• Be able to join AWE in August 2026 and be a British National, eligible for security clearance.
• Demonstrate curiosity, problem-solving, integrity, resilience, and a collaborative mindset; eager to grow and apply skills to real-world challenges.

Qualifications / Accepted degree subjects

• environmental science and ecology
• physics
• electronic and electrical engineering
• health sciences
• biology and life sciences
• engineering management
• sports science
• computer sciences and information technology
• civil engineering and construction
• transport engineering
• agricultural sciences
• food sciences
• geology and geography
• mechanical engineering
• media studies and publishing
• mathematics
• information science and librarianship
• aerospace engineering
• animal care and veterinary science
• chemistry
• social sciences
• chemical engineering
• materials science

Benefits

• £23,500 salary
• Holiday entitlement of 270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays
• Excellent work/life balance and a vibrant and welcoming grad social scene
• 9-day working fortnight - so every other Friday off
• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme
• A welcome payment
• Potential to secure a Graduate role for when you finish university, subject to availability
• Access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to our Occupational Health Services

Why AWE?

• Build leadership skills, self-awareness, and teamwork.
• Join a vibrant early careers community with events, ERGs and networking opportunities.
• Benefit from continual support: a line manager, pathway lead, and 'buddy' to guide your journey.