Overview
Manufacturing Engineering - Nuclear Graduates 2026
One Programme, Two Years, Three Secondments, Endless Opportunities. There has never been a more exciting time to join the nuclear sector. From energy generation to waste management, transport through to decommissioning, the Nuclear Graduates programme provides you with the opportunity to contribute to some of the biggest challenges facing our society. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has brought together leading businesses and organisations to create the award winning & professionally accredited Nuclear Graduates programme. We are excited to announce that the sponsoring companies for the 2026 cohort are: Rolls-Royce, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Atomic Weapons Establishment, the Ministry of Defence - Defence Nuclear Enterprise, Great British Energy - Nuclear, and the Environment Agency. Whether your passion lies within science, engineering or business, Nuclear Graduates will ensure that over two years you will gain an invaluable insight into the breadth of the UK's nuclear sector, giving you the opportunity to contribute to innovative designs, systems, products, and services. As a Nuclear Graduate, you will have the opportunity to see the nuclear sector from different perspectives, learning from leading experts on projects that have real impact. You will also receive a programme of professional development to enhance your skills and expertise, whilst also demonstrating a commitment to understanding the communities in which the nuclear sector works.
As a Manufacturing Engineer (ME) Nuclear Graduate at AWE, you'll be part of a team that turns complex engineering challenges into practical solutions. Whether you're helping to bring new products and technologies into production or improving existing processes, you'll play a key role in delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing outcomes in a highly regulated environment. You'll gain hands-on experience and make a real impact in areas such as:
Responsibilities
* Developing and implementing manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
* Designing components and production methods for emerging technologies.
* Driving improvements in safety, quality, and efficiency within a regulated manufacturing environment.
Participants will build practical knowledge in manufacturing engineering to:
* Develop the technical skills to design, implement, and improve manufacturing processes.
* Support cross-functional projects introducing new products, deploying technologies, or enhancing existing systems.
* Learn key skills such as process design, problem solving, digital manufacturing, root cause analysis, lean methodologies, and working in a safety-critical environment.
Entry requirements: A minimum of a 2:2 at Bachelor's level in one of the following degrees:
* Manufacturing Engineering.
* Mechanical Engineering.
* Other degrees with a strong engineering or materials science focus may be considered.
We're looking for graduates who are:
* Proactive problem-solvers with a willingness to take ownership.
* Strong communicators and team players.
* Interested in applying engineering principles in a regulated, safety-critical setting.
* Innovative thinkers who challenge the norm to improve how we work now and in the future.
AWE offers a challenging but highly rewarding environment where passionate young engineers can thrive. You'll be stretched, supported, and given the opportunity to make a real impact from day one. With new technologies, programmes, and investment shaping the future of manufacturing in defence, there's never been a more exciting time to join us.
Throughout your two-year journey on the Nuclear Graduates programme you will be employed by Energus whilst being supported by an industry leading sponsoring organisation. At the end of your two-year programme, you will be supported in securing a role with your sponsoring organisation or within the wider nuclear sector.
Entry requirements
* A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject.
* Candidates need to have the right to work for the duration of the 2 year programme. Any offers will be conditional upon satisfactory right to work checks
* Successful completion of security clearance checks
* Applicants must be willing and able to travel and relocate. Energus head office is based in Workington, Cumbria, however role locations will vary dependent on sponsor location.
Start date: September 2026
Recruitment stages
The recruitment and selection process consists of the following stages:
* Online application form - please complete all required sections of the application to ensure this is submitted successfully.
* Psychometric assessment - called Neurosight, this will be sent via email.
* Online interview - a 20-30 minute video interview with representatives from one of the sponsoring organisations.
* Assessment centre – these will be delivered face to face and will involve various activities, alongside insightful information around the nuclear industry and our programme.
* Offer - following our assessment centres, we aim to issue outcomes within two weeks. Successful candidates will begin their exciting journey as a Nuclear Graduate, working with our dedicated Energus People & Skills team to complete security paperwork ahead of starting the programme in September 2026.
* Onboarding - we welcome all our graduates ahead of the start date, through social media groups and welcome sessions, ensuring you are prepared, and any support required is in place, providing you with the best start to your exciting future as a Nuclear Graduate.
Face-to-face assessment centres will take place in early 2026. If you are invited to an assessment centre and are unable to attend, unfortunately you may be unable to complete the selection process.
We encourage you to regularly check emails (including any junk mail/spam folders) throughout the selection process, all correspondence including selection invitation will be sent via email.
Closing Date: Friday 14th November 2025
Any applications received after this date will not be considered. We reserve the right to close a role early should we receive sufficient applications. We encourage that you apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. Please note only one Nuclear Graduates application is required, please do not submit multiple applications.
Company Benefits
* Salary £30,000 per year
* £5,500 individual travel budget (for traveling to training and meetings whilst on programme)
* £3,500 flexible individual training budget
* Access to three secondments to give you experience across the breadth of the UK nuclear sector
* A dedicated team of experts to support your development and progress throughout your time on the programme
* A sponsor company lead to provide you with day-to-day support during your programme and with your secondments
* A dedicated mentor, assigned to you upon starting the programme who will stay with you throughout your Nuclear Graduates journey
* A comprehensive, tailored programme of professional development
* The support of a dedicated Nuclear Graduates programme team throughout the two years of your graduate programme. As Mental Health First Aiders the team are fully equipped to assist you through your Nuclear Graduates journey
* 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
* 6 discretionary days leave for study and relocation
* Energus contributory pension scheme
* Energus Employee Assistance Programme and DigiCare+
* EnergUS Extras, providing in-house news, wellbeing resources and employee discounts
* Membership of up to 2 professional institutions
* Access to an independent Employee Assistance Programme service offering a 24/7 support line
* Opportunity to participate in our Cycle2Work Scheme
As proud members of the Disability Confident Scheme, Energus aim to create a fair and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you have a disability or health condition and require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know – we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. We are committed to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In the event of a high number of eligible applicants, we will prioritise those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.
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