Year in Industry- Nuclear Assessment Safety Specialist

ZipRecruiter; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in the UK is offering a rewarding one-year placement as an Undergraduate Nuclear Safety Specialist. This role, based in Aldermaston, involves assessing risks related to nuclear safety and requires a degree in Engineering or Science. The position offers a starting salary of £23,500 plus benefits including a holiday entitlement of 270 hours and a 9-day working fortnight, providing an excellent work-life balance.

Benefits

270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays

9-day working fortnight

Salary-sacrifice benefits scheme

Potential for Graduate role post-placement

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Candidates must be studying towards an Engineering or Science-based degree.
• Willing to obtain necessary security clearance required for the role.

Responsibilities

• Assess risks and consequences of design and operational failures.
• Model accident scenarios and identify controls to prevent them.
• Develop and review safety assessments in line with legislation.

Skills

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Engineering or Science-based degree

Job description

Overview

Nuclear Safety Specialist Year in Industry Programme 2026. Starting salary £23,500 + benefits and welcome bonus. Office based in Aldermaston, nr Reading, Berkshire. We are offering a rewarding 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.

Entry requirements and application timing are below.

Entry Requirements

1. Any Engineering or Science based degree – though this is not a lab-based role.
2. Before starting with the business, you will need to provide evidence of a minimum 2:2 in your degree so far by August 2026.
3. You must be able to join AWE in August 2026. We recruit on a rolling basis, which means as soon as our positions are filled, we will close.

What to Expect on the Programme

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 spans the whole project lifecycle including design of new facilities, large modifications, production facilities, research & development facilities, and decommissioning facilities as part of a structured two-year development programme. You will develop an understanding of how AWE interacts with its regulators. You will be engaged in technical problem-solving, preparing detailed reports to justify the tolerability of nuclear, radiological, environmental, and conventional hazards, liaising with operators, facility management, engineers, and regulators.

The Nuclear Safety Case Assessor:

• Develop skills in major hazard assessment and support the analysis and assessment of nuclear, radiological, chemical, explosives and other major hazards.
• Gain experience in the development of safety assessments and justifications (e.g., Safety Cases) in line with legislation, industry standards and AWE policies.
• Continuously develop understanding of current health and safety legislation, the ONR licensing regime, and the ALARP principle.
• Under supervision, contribute to the production and review of safety assessments and justifications.

Benefits

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

The Application Process

We want your application to be fair and transparent. The process is three steps:

1. Online application: Apply for one pathway and choose the option that best matches your interests and goals.
2. Online test: If successful, complete the online assessment stage with numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Practice assessments will be available.
3. Virtual assessment: If invited, participate in our virtual assessment centres (dates run throughout November into January 2026). Webinars guide you on what to expect.

You must be able to join AWE in August 2026. Applications close on Friday 24 October, but may close earlier if we receive enough applications.

Other Requirements

• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. The nature of our work requires British citizenship and residence in the UK for the past 5 years for SC clearance; 10 years for DV.
• We may provide adjustments/accommodations during the process if requested.
• Interviews typically take place over Teams and are usually one stage.

Why Us?

We focus on developing future leaders and building a diverse, supportive workplace where employees feel able to be themselves. Our focus themes include self and team awareness, networking, and continual development. You'll be supported by a line manager, Evolve pathway lead, and a buddy from an earlier graduate cohort.

Who We're Looking For

We’re looking for people who are curious, enjoy solving complex problems, and are not afraid to ask questions. You’ll bring a dependable, team-focused mindset and a willingness to learn. You’ll thrive at AWE if you’re resilient, eager to grow, and ready to apply your skills to real-world challenges. Our behaviours: connecting with respect, keeping our promises, staying safe and secure, and embracing simplicity.

Contact

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at [e-mail].

Important Things to Know

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role closes early.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance. This is funded by AWE. The nature of our work means you must be British and have been in the UK for the past 5 years for SC clearance, and 10 years for DV.
• Let us know if you need adjustments or accommodations during the process.
• Interviews are typically one stage on Teams.

We strive to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate diversity, and where employees feel able to be themselves. Any information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and will be kept separate from your application. Please note that you must be British to apply for a role with us.