If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Level 6 Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice 

About AWE

We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.

Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.

We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counterterrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.

Be extraordinary at AWE.

About the apprenticeship

As an Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice, you will learn how to help look after the electrical systems that keep AWE’s important facilities and equipment running safely and reliably.

This is not a traditional engineering role. Instead, you will focus on keeping existing electrical equipment and systems working well, improving them where needed, and making sure they meet safety and compliance requirements.

You will work with experienced engineers who maintain and improve electrical infrastructure across AWE. This could include power supplies, lighting, alarms, monitoring systems and other equipment that supports our work.

You will learn how engineers make sure electrical systems are safe, reliable, ready to use and fit for the future.

You will also see how engineering decisions are made in a highly regulated environment, where safety, quality and following the right processes are extremely important.

During the programme, you will build practical experience in areas such as:

• Electrical engineering

• Asset lifecycle management

• Reliability improvement

• Fault investigation

• Engineering change

• Electrical safety

• Plant performance monitoring

• Regulatory compliance

• Electrical Cable Calculations

As an Electrical Engineer (Facilities & Equipment) at AWE, you may work with equipment and systems such as:

• HV and LV switchgear and distribution.

• Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

• Emergency lighting systems

• Lightning Protection systems

• Pumps, fans and drives including HVAC and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)

• Alarm, monitoring and safety interlock systems

• Nuclear safety support systems and building management systems.

Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeship

After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you could continue developing your career as an Electrical Engineer (Facilities & Equipment). As you gain more experience, you may have opportunities to move into more senior technical or leadership roles, such as:

• Senior Asset Engineer Electrical

• Senior Electrical Design Engineer

• Senior Asset Engineer Reliability

Apprenticeship Standard

ST0024

About you

We are looking for people who are curious, motivated and interested in how electrical and engineering systems work. You do not need to know everything already, but you should be keen to learn, ask questions and solve problems.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can show potential in the following areas:

Technical potential

• An interest in electrical engineering and how electrical systems work

• The ability to think logically and work through information step by step

• Confidence using maths to understand and solve problems

• A structured approach to solving problems

• Curiosity about how large engineering systems are installed, maintained and improved

• Working with engineering drawings and associated software

Personal behaviours

• Being willing to ask questions when something is unclear

• Care and attention to detail

• Being honest, responsible and professional in the way you work

• Working well with other people and contributing to a team

• Staying positive and continuing to learn when things are challenging

• Learning agility

• Communicating clearly with different people, including engineers, technicians and other apprentices

Values and mindset

• Taking safety seriously in everything you do

• Taking responsibility for your work and following through on commitments

• An interest in working in an environment where safety, quality and processes matter

• Being comfortable following clear instructions and controlled processes

• Curiosity and a willingness to keep learning and improving

These qualities are important because this role involves working safely, learning from others and making careful decisions in a technical environment.

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:

• Finding out how electrical systems work and what happens when they do not work as expected

• Solving practical and technical problems

• Investigating why equipment has failed and how it can be fixed or improved

• Working with technology, tools and data to understand how systems are performing

• Looking for ways to make systems safer, more reliable and ready for the future

• Improving how well equipment and systems work over time

• Learning how large engineering facilities are run and maintained

• Working as part of a team with engineers, technicians and other specialists

• Using technical data to make decisions

• Using information and data to help make good engineering decisions

Entry Requirements 

• • 112-120 UCAS points from one of the following: 
  •  3 A levels at least BCC including at least 1 of the following subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Statistics 
  • T level – Merit, Engineering and Manufacturing 
  • BTEC - DMM Engineering 
  • GCSE Maths, English and Science at Grade 4/C or above    
  • Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August 2027. 

The Benefits

• A starting salary of £24,500 yearly, increasing to £26,000 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme

• Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern. 

• Access to employee discounts portal — everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

Alongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism.

Location

Reading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on apprenticeship pathway, placements and business needs. Due to the nature of our work and security requirements, you should expect to work on-site during your apprenticeship and in your role after you complete it. Being on-site means you can learn directly from experienced technical specialists, access hands-on support and build valuable connections across the business.

Start Date: 1st September 2027

Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.

Apprenticeship Duration:

48 months including End Point Assessment

Recruitment Process

This vacancy will close on 1st November 2026, but we review applications as they come in—so we strongly encourage you to apply early.

We want you to shine in your application process which is designed to be fair and transparent. So we've kept it simple with a three step process.

• Online application: Apply for one apprenticeship; take your time to explore the options and choose the one that best matches your interests and goals.

• Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Do not be intimidated: practice assessments will be available so you will be fully equipped with the knowledge of what to expect.

• In person assessment: Those successful at testing will be invited to an assessment centre. The Assessment Centre is scheduled for 24th February 2027. Please note that this date may be subject to change, but rest assured, we’ll keep all applicants informed throughout the process.

These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process. All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

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.

If you choose to share information on your application form about support needs, learning differences, disabilities, health conditions or adjustments, we may contact you to understand how we can support you through the recruitment process. This information will only be used for this purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.

Contact us

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at [email protected]

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, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• 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.