Nuclear Engineering Technician Higher Apprenticeship
Starting salary: £20,665 per year
Locations: Derby
Duration: 4 years
At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.
By joining Rolls-Royce in an Emerging Talent programme, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.
Position summary:
For more than 60 years Rolls-Royce Submarines has designed, supplied and supported the nuclear propulsion plant, providing safety critical, complex power and propulsion solutions for all UK Royal Navy nuclear submarines. That deep nuclear knowledge means we are ideally placed to explore how this unique form of power can address some of the world’s biggest problems. As a Nuclear Engineering Technician Apprentice, you could be at the heart of it.
Nuclear power is incredible – just one spoonful of uranium is all it takes to power a fully-submerged submarine on a full circumnavigation of the world and the entire fleet can operate for over 20 years without needing to be refuelled, thanks to our revolutionary technology.
Join us and you can expect outstanding career support from day one, debt-free qualifications, and the chance to build an amazing career in a friendly, supportive environment where you can be yourself and be your best.
What you’ll be doing:
In your first year, you’ll complete an introduction to workshop skills in our new Nuclear Skills Academy. The course will provide you with essential engineering skills in electrical/electronics, milling, fitting and welding. In addition to this, you’ll start studying towards your HNC in Engineering studying modules that will prepare you to start working in industry.
From your second year, you’ll continue your HNC while completing placements in different areas of our Submarines business.
Your placements will see you working across a variety of different engineering capabilities, such as mechanical design, manufacturing or electrical controls and instrumentation. These placements will be essential for you to gain a wide breadth of experience and develop your fundamental knowledge of engineering.
Who we’re looking for:
* Five GCSEs which must include a minimum of Maths at grade 4/C, English Language at grade 4/C plus 3 others at grade 4/C .
* 64 UCAS points (obtained or predicted) from either
o A maximum of 3 A-Levels with either Maths or Physics at a minimum grade of C
o A single BTEC in an Engineering discipline with a minimum grade equalling a minimum of 64 UCAS points
We’re looking for individuals who are purpose-driven and passionate about delivering on commitments. People who are keen to learn about nuclear engineering and how the engineering lifecycle comes together to deliver a world class product. You’ll be a logical and analytical thinker – someone with a common-sense approach when it comes to working with data and coming up with solutions to challenges. You’ll also be a team player who’s able to demonstrate their achievements outside school or college.
Our behaviours drive us - we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. We’ll expect that of you, too.
To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines business an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.
What you’ll get:
* A competitive starting salary with annual pay rises, and pension
* 33 days' holiday per year (including bank holidays)
* A HNC in Engineering and nationally recognised qualifications
* Continuous learning and development
* Support from managers, leaders, mentors, and other apprentices
* Opportunities to develop beyond your day-to-day role and get involved in social activities
* An independent, 24-hour, confidential counselling service
A choice of voluntary benefits including discounts at nationwide stores, gyms, discounted health care, free digital GP, Cycle to Work scheme and more all available on our TotalReward portal
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
CLOSING DATE: 27th February 2026 11:59pm
We reserve the right to close the job advert early dependent on application volumes.
Assessment Centres will take place in March