UKAEA graduate scheme

Are you looking for your first graduate job? Are you keen on developing sustainable energy and being a part of the future of the fusion power industry? Then UKAEA’s growing Graduate Development Programme might be for you.

Graduate engineer using robotic manipulators

The programme provides you with the opportunity to gain skills and experiences that help you kickstart your career. You will also be working on projects that make a real impact on developing low-carbon energy from fusion and supporting the business to shape the future of the world’s energy. 

The two-year programme will introduce you to our main business activities and allow you to develop while making a personal contribution to our continuing success. 

Our graduate scheme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institute of Physics as a professional development scheme.

UKAEA health physics lab

How does the scheme work?

On the graduate scheme here at the UK Atomic Energy Authority, you will have 20% of your time focused on professional and personal development. This will include a series of core development activities to fast track your business acumen, along with skills for technical, project management and people leadership.

Engineer using a 3D printing machine

The remaining 80% of time is role-based, working within a team growing your technical knowledge within your chosen discipline. Working with your line manager, you will get the opportunity to experience different roles and responsibilities within projects to broaden your understanding and help decide your future career route.

When joining the scheme you will be provided with a mentor, who will support and encourage you to develop your career and experience throughout the whole process. You will also be encouraged and supported to achieve professional accreditation where it’s available.

At UKAEA, we welcome people from all backgrounds to apply to our schemes and we are committed to providing the support you need. We also take steps to ensure we are hiring a diverse range of people. Take a read of our diversity and inclusion policies for more information.

Take a look at the benefits of working for UKAEA.

What do I need to apply?

We recruit graduates who have recently completed their degree in a relevant field. This may include the following disciplines:

  • Mechanical engineering
  • Applied chemistry
  • Control systems and instrumentation
  • Electrical and electronic engineering
  • Software engineering
  • Applied physics
  • Robotics and remote handling
  • Chemical engineering
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Materials science/engineering
  • Civil/construction engineering
  • Business / Professional support – degrees vary depending on the role
A UKAEA graduate recruit and their mentor having a meeting over coffee

Browse our case studies from previous employees to see how we can help develop your career.

Two UKAEA scientists looking at screens

What is the recruitment process?

  • CV review by our early careers team followed by technical hiring managers.

  • First stage screening call with a technical hiring manager (virtual).

  • Second stage panel interview with presentation and additional assessments (virtual).

  • On-site face to face meet and greet with hiring managers and tour of the facilities.

The UKAEA team have always listened and helped with our issues where they could. It’s not just the support staff, my fellow graduates on the scheme have been instrumental to my development during my time here. We are all supportive of each other and help whenever required.
Faiz Rahman, UKAEA Graduate Mechatronics Engineer

current opportunities

Browse some of our current job vacancies below.

Unix System Administrator

UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire or Rotherham, Yorkshire

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