Graduate Trainee – Corporate and Operations Programme

Location:  Aldermaston nr. Reading, Berkshire

About AWE:

We are AWE. We’re a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure.

Our work is critical. We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies that keep the nation safe.

AWE’s support for the government’s strategy takes many facets: from supporting the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UK’s counter terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology.

Start an extraordinary career at AWE; grow your skills, learn from industry experts and become part of a community at one of the most unique companies in the UK.

Find out more about us: Nuclear technologies – AWE

Our two-year Evolve programme offers you an exciting opportunity to join our corporate and operations career pathway. We’re looking for amazing graduates and aspiring future leaders to join us and shape the future of AWE.

How Evolve will help accelerate your career:

The Business and Operational teams are key enablers of AWE’s mission. As part of the Corporate and Operations programme you will apply and grow your skills and experience and learn more about what you enjoy and where you want to take your career.

You could start your journey in any of our functions. It will all be about learning about the business, building your leadership skills and having some great experiences.

During the programme there will be opportunities to (including but not limited to):

• Experience time in various operational or corporate areas of the business
• Learn about leadership in a large matrix organisation
• Get involved in projects
• Understand how a complex organisation works and fits together
• Develop further in an area of interest in year 2

The structured programme comprises of a series of placements to help accelerate your learning and advance the development of your skillsets. You’ve got the potential, and we’ll prepare you for the future through leadership, business and behavioural training.

As part of your time on the programme you will work towards a CMI (Chartered Management Institute) qualification that we deliver using an apprenticeship framework. This is a professional development programme aimed at building and enhancing your potential as a leader and manager. Those completing the apprenticeship will be able to translate their personal success into consistent team success and to champion high performing compassionate teams.

What behaviours and qualities you will need:

• Determined – You are resilient and get things done. Clear where you are going and how you will get there.
• Curious – You are a person who loves to think outside the box. (You are a person who loves to take the box apart!).
• Growth Mindset – You are open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
• Resilience – You are an advocate of ‘speaking up’ for yourself and others openly and constructively.
• Team Worker – You are dependable and reliable. You are interested in collaborating with and supporting others.

What AWE can offer you:

• AWE has a highly inclusive culture. You will be supported by colleagues and management to bring your unique contribution to our work.
• You will undergo ‘DV’ security clearance to allow you to work on classified programmes.
• From Day 1 you will be collaborating with like-minded people on challenging problems, and you will encounter many professional and personal development opportunities.
• Depending on your specific placements, you may have the opportunity to interact with UK and overseas partners and customers.
• There is a vibrant early careers community at AWE. You will have the opportunity to socialise with other graduates and undergraduate placement students through organised events, the on-site Recreation Society, and ad-hoc activities.
• You can join any of our six staff-led Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working groups to help guide our supportive work culture.
• You will gain a strong feeling of satisfaction that you are making a real difference to yourself, to AWE and to the safety and security of the UK!

What you will get:

We will give you a competitive total reward package including salary element of £31,000 per annum and benefits including a market leading contributory pension scheme.

You will also get:

• Generous holiday entitlement (270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays)
• Excellent work/life balance
• 9-day working fortnight (this means you will not work every other Friday!)
• A salary sacrifice benefit
• A welcome payment
• An option of an interest free loan of £1,000 as well as regular Graduate pay reviews
• A structured and supported career progression
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

Alongside these benefits, you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field.

Entry requirements:

• You will be recently qualified in any degree discipline however STEM would be desirable. Before starting with the business, you will need to be able to provide evidence that you have attained a minimum of a 2:2 in your degree.
• You must be able to join AWE in September 2025. We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, we will close.
• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.

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 us will be used to encourage and support you through the

application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

Contact us

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at EarlyCareers@awe.co.uk

Please only make one Graduate role application. We encourage you to take the time to reflect on which programme you feel matches your aspirations and motivations. We can only progress one application per candidate, so we encourage you to think about which role you feel you are most suited too.