Graduate Vacuum Engineer
About us
Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.
What you’ll join
Your degree got you this far. Where could fusion energy take you? If you’re looking for your first graduate role and want a career that’s meaningful, challenging, and packed with opportunities to grow, UKAEA’s Graduate Development Programme could be the perfect next step. Working alongside world-leading experts, you’ll help advance groundbreaking fusion technology while building the technical, professional, and leadership skills needed for a successful career. This is your chance to be part of an industry that’s helping create a sustainable future for generations to come.
How you’ll develop
Help deliver innovative vacuum engineering solutions that support one of the UK’s most advanced fusion experiments, MAST-U. Work on a variety of real-world engineering projects, from designing and specifying equipment to testing, commissioning and improving system performance. Collaborate with experienced engineers and technical specialists to solve complex challenges while developing your technical, project management and leadership skills through our accredited graduate programme, recognised by IMechE, IET and IoP, supporting your journey towards professional registration.
What you’ll need
- Degree in Science or Engineering from 2025 to 2027
- Driven, with a strong appetite to learn and take on new challenges
- Able to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Well organised and adaptable with the ability to plan and prioritise workload
Benefits
- £35,227 base salary.
- Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution.
- 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
- Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions.
- Take part in our Skern Lodge residential to develop new skills and build your network.
Our commitment to ED&I
UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit. UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email earlycareerstalent@ukaea.uk if you have any questions or require any help or adjustments. AI may be used for preparation purposes only. All responses submitted during interviews and assessments must be your own work. To maintain a fair recruitment process, candidates are limited to two applications across our Early Careers programmes. If you apply for multiple roles, we may contact you to discuss which opportunities best match your skills and interests. Applications are due to close at 23:59 on 8th November 2026. As we’re expecting strong interest, we encourage you to apply early, as the vacancy may close sooner if we receive a high volume of applications. More information can be found here.
Salary
View benefits
Programme
Department Tokamak Systems
Discipline Science
Site Location UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Type of Employment Full-time
Reference Number REF4498T
Qualifications
Additional Information
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Graduate Vacuum Engineer in Abingdon employer: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of fusion research. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have access to cutting-edge technology and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to groundbreaking projects that aim to revolutionise energy production. Located in the UK, the culture here is one of inclusivity and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in high-performance computing.
Contact Details:
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Recruitment Team
