Nuclear Safety Engineering and Operations Graduate Programme

Tussell Limited; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £35,000

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension and employee share schemes

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing support and EAP

Job summary

Cavendish Nuclear invites graduates to join its Nuclear Safety and Operations Engineering Graduate programme, based at Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth. You’ll contribute to safe operation, maintenance and development of nuclear facilities, rotating through placements across the business to build broad expertise in safety cases, hazard analysis and risk assessments.

From day one you’ll receive mentorship, expert-led masterclasses and a clear pathway toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer

Qualifications

• You’ll need to hold a BSc/BEng (Hons) in Engineering, Science or Maths.
• A postgraduate MSc or MEng in Nuclear Science would be particularly valuable.
• Security clearance restrictions mean BPSS and Security Check clearance eligibility; UK national status may apply.

Education

BSc/BEng (Hons) in Engineering, Science or Maths

MSc/MEng in Nuclear Science (valuable)

Job description

What will you do on the programme?

As a Nuclear Safety and Operations Engineering Graduate based at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you’ll play a key role in supporting the safe operation, maintenance, and development of nuclear and radiological facilities. From your first day, you’ll contribute to real world projects that help protect people, our assets, and the environment. Your work will be varied and meaningful. One week, you might be reviewing engineering designs for compliance with nuclear safety standards, developing safety cases, or conducting hazard analysis. The next, you could be performing risk assessments, modelling scenarios, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to tackle operational challenges, or preparing technical reports and presenting your findings to stakeholders. Every task you undertake will directly contribute to the safety and performance of our operations. This is your opportunity to explore different areas of the business, build your technical and professional skills, and find the path that’s right for you. Whether you’re interested in nuclear safety or plant management, you’ll be supported to grow your expertise and take the next step in your engineering career.

How is the programme structured?

The programme spans two years and is designed to give you a strong foundation in nuclear safety engineering and operational safety management. For the first 18 months, you’ll rotate through a series of placements across the business, each lasting two to four months. These rotations will give you a broad understanding of our operations and help you identify where your strengths and interests lie. In the final six months of the programme, you’ll move into a more focused role, taking on greater responsibility and building even more in-depth experience in your chosen area.

How do we develop and support you?

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you succeed throughout the programme and beyond. You’ll work alongside and learn from industry experts, including safety case authors, plant and operations managers, human factors consultants, radiation protection advisors, and environmental management specialists, giving you a well-rounded understanding of nuclear and radiological safety. You’ll also join our Graduate Development Programme, which includes expert led masterclasses covering communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing. To support your professional development, we provide guidance toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status and cover all associated fees.

What’s waiting for you after the programme?

On successful completion of the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in either Nuclear Safety or Plant Management. Your development doesn’t stop there. We’ll continue to support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on increased responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with defined pathways, development opportunities, and the flexibility to move between Nuclear Safety Engineering and Plant Management as your interests and career evolve.

What rewards and benefits will you get?

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too. In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
• Generous pension and employee share schemes
• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks. You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.

Where will you be based?

Places on our Nuclear Safety and Engineering Operations programme for September 2027 are available in our Nuclear sector in Plymouth. Based at Devonport in Plymouth, the largest naval base in Western Europe, you’ll be part of the team that delivers critical support to the Royal Navy’s surface ships and submarines. Throughout your placements, you’ll work on a variety of projects that contribute directly to the safe operation and continuous improvement of nuclear and radiological facilities within a highly specialised environment. Importantly, you’ll be joining us at a time of long-term investment and strategic importance. We have a programme of submarine work that spans decades, offering the opportunity to be part of a legacy of national defence and innovation. While you’ll join a specific business area and location, placements at different sites across the UK are possible. Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on‑site multiple times a week. We encourage flexibility and openness to relocation throughout the programme and will consider your personal circumstances when arranging placements.

Qualifications

• You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a BSc or BEng (Hons) degree in an Engineering, Science or Maths subject.
• A postgraduate qualification such as an MSc or MEng in Nuclear Science would be particularly valuable.
• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
• Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.

About Cavendish Nuclear

We are Cavendish Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Babcock International Group and the UK’s leading nuclear services company. With a highly skilled workforce we are located at offices and sites in the UK as well as internationally. Our people innovate to make nuclear safer, faster, at lower cost and deliver across all aspects of the nuclear energy life cycle, from design and build, through operations and maintenance, to decommissioning, waste management and remediation. A career with us is hugely rewarding and exciting; one that stretches and challenges individuals to be the best they can be. When you join Cavendish Nuclear, you will have opportunities to work on projects that will have an impact on the future. At Cavendish Nuclear we put people first. Work with us and you’ll discover that our focus on people is unique.