At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to tackle environmental challenges and make a real impact in the nuclear industry.
- Company: Sellafield, a leader in sustainable engineering and innovation.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £44,027, 30 days leave, relocation support, and pension matching.
- Other info: Experience life in beautiful Cumbria with affordable living and vibrant community.
- Why this job: Gain real responsibility and develop specialist skills while shaping a cleaner future.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree in a relevant subject and a passion for the nuclear sector.
The predicted salary is between 44027 - 45010 £ per year.
Your ideas. Real responsibility. Lasting impact.
Join Sellafield and help create a clean and safe environment for future generations while shaping the UK's sustainable future through world-first engineering, science and innovation.
- This year, we’re recruiting graduates across a range of areas, including:
- Construction
- Commissioning
- Engineering & Maintenance
- Environmental
- Operations
- Project Management
- People Function
- Radiological Protection & Safety
- Safety Case
- Technical
Whichever path you choose, you’ll play a meaningful role in helping us deliver nationally important work, develop specialist skills and build a career with purpose.
Our Graduate Development Scheme
Our Graduate Development Scheme is a structured two-year programme designed to help you build the foundations of a successful and rewarding career.
From day one, you’ll gain real responsibility, develop technical expertise and work alongside industry-leading professionals on projects that make a genuine difference.
Through a blend of professional development, on-the-job learning and support towards chartership, you’ll have everything you need to grow your confidence, expand your skills and become a future specialist in your field.
Whether you’re looking to develop your technical expertise, build your professional network or accelerate your career, we’ll give you the opportunities, support and experience to help you reach your potential.
What You’ll Get
Our graduates start off with a 24-month fixed term contract, with an excellent starting salary of £44,027, rising to £45,010 in Year 2.
Following successful completion of your graduate programme and subject to there being a suitable vacancy, you could be offered a permanent position with us.
If you’re relocating here from more than 30 miles away, we’ll support you with a relocation allowance of £1,400.
Additionally, you can apply for an interest-free loan of £2,000, which you pay back through your monthly salary over your 24-month contract.
We aim to strike a good work/life balance by offering 30 days annual leave with statutory public holidays on top.
There is also the ability to purchase an additional 2.5 days leave on top.
We offer an attractive defined contribution pension scheme – the company will match up to 13.5% for a 7% employee contribution, helping you to save for the future from the start of your career.
All our employees can also benefit from our 18 support networks, including the Nuclear Autism Support Network, one LGBTQ+ Network and Gender Balance Networks, among others.
Other benefits include paid sick leave scheme, cycle to work scheme, family-friendly policies, welfare & employee assistance programme, and employee savings & discounts.
What We’ll Need From You
We’re seeking candidates who
- Are on track to achieve, or have already achieved, a minimum of a 2:1 in a relevant subject. Refer to the individual scheme requirements for full details.
- Have a willingness to relocate to West Cumbria for the programme duration.
- Commit to working on or around the Sellafield site.
- Have a genuine interest in building a career within the nuclear industry.
- Possess problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude.
- Are committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, security, and professionalism.
- Are eligible to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role.
We’re looking for people who are curious, motivated, and ready to make a difference.
You don’t need nuclear experience, but you do need the enthusiasm to learn, the confidence to challenge yourself, and the ambition to help deliver work that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Life in Cumbria
Build a career that makes a difference from day one.
With us, you won’t be spending your graduate programme on the sidelines.
You’ll work on real projects that help tackle some of the UK’s biggest environmental, engineering and nuclear challenges, while contributing to our mission of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations.
Based in West Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District, you’ll be part of a team developing innovative solutions that support the UK’s sustainable future, reduce environmental risk and leave a lasting positive impact for generations to come.
Alongside structured development, professional support and world-class expertise, you’ll gain experience that’s genuinely hard to find anywhere else.
Enjoy affordable housing and living costs that go much further than big cities.
Rural doesn’t mean isolated; you’ll still find shops, restaurants and gyms– just without the city chaos.
And when you do fancy a city break, Manchester, Newcastle, and Glasgow are just a few hours away.
It’s the perfect balance of career opportunity and quality of life.
- Our Application Process
- Applications for our Graduate Programmes close on Friday 23rd October 2026.
- Complete an online assessment after application, with outcomes expected in mid-November.
- Video interviews will take place between 2nd – 13th November 2026.
- Assessment Centres for Cumbria-based schemes will be held in Workington, Cumbria, from 1st – 4th December 2026.
- Financial support is available for candidates who may struggle with travel expenses for assessment centres.
Please note that if you’re unable to attend an assessment stage during the dates outlined above, you may not be able to progress through the recruitment process.
Expected start date: Monday 27th September 2027.
Accessibility and Inclusion
At Sellafield, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and supportive recruitment experience where everyone can succeed.
Reasonable adjustments are available throughout every stage of our recruitment process.
If you require any adjustments or additional support, we’ll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.
Before you apply
Complete our immersive preview into the life of a Graduate at Sellafield before starting your application.
This will help you understand the type of challenges you may encounter and if you’re likely to enjoy working here.
Applications for our graduate programmes will close on Friday 23rd October 2026.
Please be aware that this role is subject to achieving security clearance.
This role requires a higher level of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
2027 Cumbria Graduate Programme employer: targetjobs UK
Bloomberg is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where you can develop your skills in analytics and sales while providing unparalleled customer support to clients across the globe. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, our comprehensive training program equips you with the knowledge needed to excel in the financial markets, while opportunities for career advancement abound within the company. Join us to be part of a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering outstanding service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2027 Cumbria Graduate Programme
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at targetjobs UK that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace 2027 Cumbria Graduate Programme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at targetjobs UK, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like targetjobs UK want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what targetjobs UK will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at targetjobs UK
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at targetjobs UK. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, targetjobs UK might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at targetjobs UK. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at targetjobs UK, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
