Year in Industry- Conventional Safety Specialist

Year in Industry Placement - Conventional Safety Specialist

Salary £24,500 per annum plus benefits Location Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire Contract 12-month placement Start date 2 August 2027 Working pattern Full time, 9-day working fortnight Work location Office based, NOT A LAB BASED ROLE

About AWE

About AWE We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and extends into vital areas including counter‑terrorism, global nuclear test monitoring and the development of world‑class nuclear science expertise. At AWE, you will find purpose, growth and an opportunity to learn from specialists while contributing to work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

Role purpose

Role purpose This 12-month placement sits within AWE's Sustainability, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality function. The function implements AWE's Safety Management System and drives continuous safety and environmental improvement across the business. As an Undergraduate Conventional Safety Specialist, you will help operational and project teams identify hazards, assess risks, select appropriate controls and comply with health and safety requirements. You will gain experience both within the central SHEQ team and alongside deployed safety specialists supporting individual delivery areas.

Key activities and responsibilities

• Undertake and support risk assessments to identify proportionate control measures.
• Support risk-based inspections in line with relevant legislation, industry standards and AWE policies, procedures and guidance.
• Apply relevant assessment tools and interpret findings to support safe decision-making.
• Help deliver safety initiatives and contribute to continuous improvement across operational areas.
• Develop practical understanding of AWE’s Safety Management System and how it is implemented across projects and facilities.
• Build knowledge of key health and safety legislation relevant to AWE activities.
• Work with safety professionals, facility operators, project managers and other specialists as part of integrated teams.
• Communicate findings clearly, maintain accurate records and contribute to relevant reports and discussions.

Learning and development

• Learn from experts: Work alongside subject matter experts from day one and support real projects and safety improvements.
• Practical experience: See how safety requirements are interpreted and applied in operational environments.
• Professional capability: Develop skills in risk assessment, inspections, legislation, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based decision-making.
• Continual support: Receive support from a dedicated line manager, Evolve pathway lead and buddy throughout the placement.
• Build your network: Connect with the wider Early Careers community, employee resource groups and colleagues across the business.

Entry requirements

We are interested in candidates studying any science-based degree. Please note that this is not a lab-based role. You must be on track to achieve a minimum 2:2 in your degree by August 2027. You must be graduating in either 2029 or 2030 and completing a placement year as part of your degree. You must be available to join AWE in August 2027. You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.

Behaviours and qualities

• Curious: You enjoy understanding how things work, identifying potential risks and asking thoughtful questions.
• Analytical: You can review information carefully and use evidence to support decisions.
• Collaborative: You communicate clearly and work constructively with specialists, operators and project teams.
• Dependable: You take responsibility for your work, keep your promises and understand the importance of trust and integrity.
• Resilient: You can adapt, respond positively to feedback and keep developing your skills.
• Safety focused: You are prepared to speak up, follow requirements and contribute to a safe and secure working environment.

Salary and benefits

• £24,500 salary.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A full-time, 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
• A salary‑sacrifice benefit scheme.
• Savings across retail, hospitality and leisure.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• A vibrant Early Careers community and opportunities to take part in events and activities.
• Potential to secure a Graduate role after university, subject to performance, business need and available opportunities.

Working location

This is an office-based placement at Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire. Due to the nature and security of the work, we cannot guarantee opportunities to work from home for part of the week. Working onsite will give you direct access to experienced specialists, operational teams and practical support, helping you build confidence and capability throughout your placement.

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

We want candidates to feel confident and informed throughout the application process. We encourage diverse applicants and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments. Any inclusion information provided will be used only to support the application and held for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

Important things you need to know

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. We are at the start of a once in a generation – possibly two generations – programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state-of-the-art capital and construction projects – some of which have never been done before. We are recruiting right across the business: from technical roles in engineering, science, manufacturing and industrial work to business roles in areas such as IT, project management/ controls, commercial, human resources and facilities management. We also have our Evolve graduate programme, or you may be interested in an apprenticeship with our award-winning Skills Academy. What we do is vital to national nuclear security. Keeping our nation, everyone, our environment and everything around us safe and secure is a top priority for us. So, as you would expect, that brings with it a high level of safety and security that you will see across our sites and in how everyone who works here operates.