Utilities Engineering Graduate 2027

AWE; England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: £31,000 starting salary

270 hours of annual leave (including H

Market-leading contributory pension

9-day working fortnight (every other F

Salary-sacrifice scheme & employee-dis

Job summary

AWE is offering the Evolve Graduate Programme in Utilities Engineering to develop future leaders. You will contribute to live assets, plant and improvement projects from day one, supported by experienced engineers and a clear development path.

The two-year programme starts September 2027 at Aldermaston (Reading/Basingstoke area) with a starting salary of £31,000 plus benefits. You'll gain hands-on experience in design, asset management and reliability engineering while working toward

Qualifications

• Entry requirement: Minimum 2:2 in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• British National and able to obtain security clearance.
• Start date: September 2027; Location: Aldermaston, Reading/Basingstoke area (onsite).

Responsibilities

• Support engineering design activities, technical assessments and design reviews.
• Contribute to engineering calculations, asset management and reliability improvement.
• Support configuration control, change management, commissioning and maintenance.
• Help investigate technical issues and improve utilities infrastructure and plant performance.
• Work with operational teams, design authorities, project teams and technical specialists.

Education

2:2 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline

Job description

Evolve Graduate Programme

Utilities Engineering

£31,000 | Two-year programme | Starts September 2027

Why this role matters

Support the critical infrastructure and utilities networks that enable AWE's operations, applying engineering knowledge to live assets, plant and improvement projects.

Build experience that matters

You will contribute to real work from the start, learn from experienced professionals and build the technical, professional and leadership skills needed for a long-term career.

At a glance

• Salary: £31,000 plus benefits.
• Location: Aldermaston, Reading/Basingstoke area - onsite
• Programme: Two-year Evolve Graduate Programme.
• Start date: September 2027.
• Entry requirement: Minimum 2:2 in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Security: You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.

What opportunities will you have?

• Support engineering design activities, technical assessments and design reviews.
• Contribute to engineering calculations, asset management and reliability improvement.
• Support configuration control, change management, commissioning and maintenance.
• Help investigate technical issues and improve utilities infrastructure and plant performance.
• Work with operational teams, design authorities, project teams and technical specialists.

What you will learn

• Utilities networks and associated plant equipment.
• Engineering design, asset management and reliability engineering.
• Configuration control, commissioning and technical problem-solving.
• How engineering supports a complex, highly regulated operational environment.
• Professional practice and progress towards registration with an engineering institution.

The behaviours and qualities we're looking for

• Curious: You ask questions, seek understanding and explore new ideas.
• Collaborative: You build positive relationships and value different perspectives.
• Analytical: You use evidence to solve problems and make informed decisions.
• Growth-oriented: You embrace feedback, learning and continuous development.
• Dependable: You take ownership, act with integrity and follow through on commitments.

What you will get

• £31,000 starting salary.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A market leading contributory pension scheme
• A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme and access to employee discounts.
• A welcome payment and the option of an interest-free £1,000 loan.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression.
• Support from a dedicated line manager, Evolve pathway lead and buddy.

Recruitment process and key dates

• Online application: Applications open on 2 November 2026. Apply for the pathway that best matches your interests and goals.
• Online assessment: If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments. Practice materials will be available.
• Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre, expected to run during December 2026 and January 2027.
• Pre-assessment support: Attend guidance webinars so you know what to expect and can prepare.
• Offer and clearance: Successful candidates will move into the offer and security-clearance stages before joining in September 2027.

Reasonable adjustments

We want you to feel confident and supported throughout the application process. Tell us if a reasonable adjustment would help. Any inclusion information will be used only to support your application and handled in accordance with GDPR.