Undergraduate Placement – Civil Engineer

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?

For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.

It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?

We are offering a unique and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Civil Engineer – a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure.

• Do you have a background in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction or Building Services Engineering
• Would you like to hone your skills on the design and construction of truly unique facilities?

For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of keeping the UK safe and secure. We have been assigned a critical mission by the UK Government:

• to protect the UK from nuclear threats such as terrorism and the contravention of international treaties
• to provide the warheads for the UK’s current nuclear deterrent – Trident
• to design, develop, manufacture and maintain the warheads for future nuclear deterrents

AWE is currently developing a replacement nuclear warhead to protect the UK into the future. This will involve developing new manufacturing processes and has seen the start of a huge capital build programme of hi-tec facilities and infrastructure to enable the warhead designs to become a reality! Many of our buildings will be unique, all of them will incorporate the latest thinking in safety and sustainable design. You will learn the following:

1.  Basics of construction practice
2.  Contract management
3.  Structural mechanics, hydraulics, geotechnics, highways, land surveying and CAD before applying that learning to assess existing structures, foundations and soils
4.  The challenges and safety requirements of providing engineering services in such an environment throughout the engineering lifecycle (Design, Construction, Commissioning, Operations).

Due to AWE’s critical role, further technical details of this placement are classified. But rest assured, you will be doing remarkably interesting things as part of our expert civil engineering team!

This role will be based at our Aldermaston site in Berkshire which is served by public transport from both Reading and Basingstoke. It will start in August 2024 and last for 12 months.

What to expect on your placement

• 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 development opportunities within the role.
• You will develop a work plan at the start of your placement that will help you to track your progress, achieve your goals and meet our programme needs.
• Depending on the team you are assigned to, you may have the opportunity to interact with UK and overseas partners and customers.
• There is a vibrant early careers community at AWE and you will have the opportunity to socialise across the multi-disciplinary group of undergraduate placement students and new graduates.
• You can join any of our six staff-led Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working groups to help guide our supportive work culture
• You will learn about AWE and develop a pathway to re-join us once you graduate (if you wish!) on our Evolve graduate development scheme.
• At the end of the placement, you will leave with a strong understanding and experience of engineering within the built environment (that can be applied across many industries) and a feeling of satisfaction that you have made a real difference both to yourself and to AWE.

What behaviors should you possess?

You are the sort of person who likes getting stuck into interesting problems. You are curious about what you see and eager to learn new things. You ask questions when you do not understand something and are resilient in the face of setbacks. You like working with others and you are dependable. You are comfortable working in a classified environment on defence projects.

You welcome the chance to develop a work style that embraces AWE’s cultural behaviours:

• We connect with respect
• We keep our promises
• We are safe and secure
• We embrace simplicity

What benefits will you receive?

The opportunity to learn from subject matter experts and to develop skills that are applicable across many industries.

• A salary of £20,500
• A market leading contributory pension scheme. We will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution.
• Every second Friday off. We do this by working a 41-hour week followed by a 33-hour week.
• 270 hours annual leave a year that includes an allowance for bank holidays.
• Access to the employee discounts portal – everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.

 Starting dates and process

Undergraduate Placement Induction will be on 5^th August 2024, please avoid taking leave during this period if you are successful. This role is offered on a 12 month contract.

We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, the scheme will close to new applications. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out!

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.