Warhead Safety Assessment Specialist

AWE; Tadley; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

AWE is seeking a Warhead Safety Assessment Specialist for their Surety Engineering Group, where you'll conduct essential warhead safety assessments to support strategic objectives. Ideal candidates will have an Honours Degree in science or engineering and an interest in nuclear safety. AWE offers a favorable work-life balance with a 9-day working fortnight, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes professional development opportunities.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market-leading contributory pension scheme

Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay

Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay

Professional Career Development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance (4 x annual salary)

Discounts on a wide range of everyday spending

Special Leave Policy

Qualifications

• Honours Degree in science, engineering or related discipline required.
• Interest in safety assessments or nuclear safety roles.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of warhead safety assessments aligned with management procedures.
• Contribute to safety analysis across engineering lifecycle.
• Liaise with stakeholders as part of a verification team.

Skills

Engineering judgement

Software programming

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Honours Degree in science or engineering

Job description

Warhead Safety Assessment Specialist.

Closing Date: 26th June 2025

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

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston, but there is scope to occasionally work for home.

Package: 39,280 - 50,000 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.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently recruiting for a Warhead Safety Assessment Specialist within the Surety Engineering Group.

Key aspects of the role will be to provide an in-house warhead safety assessment capability in support of delivering the company's strategic objectives. The role will entail effective delivery of warhead safety assessments and providing advice on warhead safety, systems, electrical or mechanical design, explosives, nuclear and process engineering.

We are seeking people with diverse skillsets, at various stages of their careers, including career returners, to join our dynamic team of Nuclear Safety Engineers. We are proud to have such a friendly and supportive group for you to join which offers excellent development opportunities for our staff to progress. Within the team there are a number of learning and training opportunities, including up to Master's level following the recent launch of the Defence Nuclear Safety Engineering MSc.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

• Support the delivery of warhead safety assessments on time and in full, aligned with company management procedures.

• Contribute to safety analysis against requirements and standards across the full engineering lifecycle.

• Ability to apply appropriate safety methods, tools and techniques to a product.

• Ability to consider higher level system and detailed component or material issues.

• Liaise with a range of stakeholders as part of a wider system design and verification team.

• Support external activities as required as part of the Outreach and Engineering Programme, i.e. through presentations to external conferences/symposia.

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

• Honours Degree (or equivalent) in science, engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent level of experience.

• An interest in high consequence safety assessments or looking to develop within a nuclear safety focussed role.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Able to demonstrate good engineering and scientific judgement.

• Experience with software programming and data analysis.

• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills.

• Experience in writing reports and delivering presentations.

• Possess the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 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 (inc. chartered application).

• 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'.