Security Specialist

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day working fortnight

Pension scheme

Flexible working requests

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts

Job summary

AWE is recruiting a Security Specialist to join the Security team at Aldermaston and Burghfield, on-site only. The role involves developing broad expertise across physical, personnel, information and cyber security while working with experienced professionals to protect critical national assets.

The successful candidate will influence senior stakeholders, apply robust security controls, and lead assurance activities to mitigate vulnerabilities and risks.

Qualifications

• Experience in security, defence, nuclear, or regulated environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and problem solving.
• Willingness to develop across physical, personnel, cyber and information security.
• Ability to influence major programmes and decisions.
• Be prepared to obtain and maintain necessary security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong stakeholder engagement with key business leaders.
• Apply security procedures to enable programmes while maintaining high security.
• Conduct regular assurance activity to verify proportionate levels of security.
• Assess vulnerabilities and manage risks.
• Investigate when standards are not adhered to and apply learning.
• Maintain high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security, and quality; be a team player.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Security disciplines

Independent working

Communication skills

Job description

Security Specialist

Closing Date: 7th September 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. The successful candidate will be required to work full‑time on site at AWE Aldermaston. Candidates should also be willing to work at AWE Burghfield.

Package: From £38,880 per annum (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

We are currently recruiting for a Security Specialist to join the AWE Security team as we work to deliver the support AWE needs in a variety of interesting and challenging posts.

At AWE, security is at the heart of everything we do. Our Security Specialists help protect some of the nation’s most sensitive information, assets and capabilities, enabling critical programmes that support national security.

This is an opportunity to develop broad expertise across physical, personnel, information and cyber security while working alongside experts who are shaping the future of UK defence.

As the key focal point for security engagement, you will:

• Develop strong stakeholder engagement with key business leaders.
• Apply security procedures to enable AWE to meet its programme commitments whilst maintaining the highest levels of security.
• Conduct regular assurance activity to verify that proportionate levels of security are being maintained.
• Ensure that we assess vulnerabilities and manage risks.
• Investigate when high standards are not being adhered to and ensure that relevant learning is applied.
• Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security, and quality, and be a great team player.

Why This Role?

• Become a trusted security advisor to senior stakeholders.
• Develop expertise across multiple security disciplines.
• Influence key business decisions and major programmes.
• Gain recognised professional qualifications and training.
• Build a long‑term career in one of the UK's most unique and secure environments.

Who are we looking for?

This Role Could Be Right For You If You

• Enjoy solving complex problems and seeing solutions through to delivery.
• Build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Are curious, motivated and eager to learn.
• Have an interest in risk management and protective security.
• Enjoy influencing others and driving high standards.
• Want to develop expertise across physical, personnel, cyber and information security disciplines.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience in security, defence, engineering, nuclear, project management, infrastructure, technology, risk management or other regulated environments. If you can demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement, problem solving and a desire to learn, we'd love to hear from you.

We’d Like You To Have

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• A willingness to learn, develop and embrace new challenges.

The successful candidate must be willing to take ownership of their own performance and have an aspiration to lead.

Whether you're already working in security or looking to bring your transferable skills into a new and rewarding environment, AWE will support your development every step of the way. Through structured training, mentoring and professional qualifications, you'll have the opportunity to build a long‑term career while helping to protect one of the UK's most important national missions.

Work Hard, Be Rewarded

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Next 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.

Important Things You Need To Know

• 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.