Job Description

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Graduate Trainee - Project Management and Delivery

Programme

Evolve Graduate Programme

Salary

£31,000 starting salary plus benefits

Location

Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire - onsite

Duration

Two years

Start date

September 2027

Working pattern

9-day working fortnight

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 wider national-security capabilities through science, engineering, technology and specialist expertise.

Programme purpose

The Project Management and Delivery Evolve Graduate Programme is designed to develop future Project Managers and delivery leaders. You will contribute to complex programmes, build practical understanding of how projects are led and governed, and develop the professional confidence to take increasing responsibility.

You may work with teams supporting major infrastructure, science, manufacturing and national-security programmes. The programme combines real project responsibility with structured leadership, business and behavioural development.

Key activities and responsibilities

• Support Assistant Project Managers (APMs), Project Managers and, where appropriate, Programme Managers in delivering complex work safely and effectively.
• Help organise activities, milestones, resources and dependencies to keep delivery moving.
• Contribute to project governance, reviews, decision-making and clear reporting.
• Help identify, assess and respond to risks and opportunities that could affect delivery.
• Build relationships across technical, operational, commercial and corporate teams.
• Take ownership of meaningful work and build the confidence to influence outcomes.

Learning and development

• How complex projects and programmes are structured, governed and delivered.
• How Project Managers balance scope, time, cost, quality, risk and stakeholder needs.
• Project planning, coordination, governance and decision-making.
• Risk and opportunity management within a highly regulated environment.
• How to communicate clearly, influence stakeholders and support collaborative delivery.
• Leadership, business awareness and the behaviours needed for a future project-management career.

Looking for a more analytical pathway?

If you are particularly interested in analysing project performance, reporting, planning, scheduling and data-driven project insights, take a look at our Project Controls Graduate Programme, which focuses on the analytical and performance-management side of project delivery.

Career development and progression

You will build broad project-delivery experience, learning primarily from experienced Assistant Project Managers (APMs) and Project Managers, with some exposure to Programme Managers, while developing transferable leadership, stakeholder and decision-making skills. Following successful completion, you will be well positioned to progress towards a Project Management or delivery role with increasing responsibility.

Behaviours and qualities

• Proactive: You take ownership, show initiative and follow through on commitments.
• Curious: You ask questions and want to understand how complex projects fit together.
• Collaborative: You build constructive relationships and value different perspectives.
• Organised: You can manage priorities and help keep activities on track.
• Adaptable: You respond positively to change, challenge and feedback.
• Professional: You act with integrity, accountability and respect.

Entry requirements

• You must hold, or be on track to achieve, a minimum 2:2 degree classification, or equivalent, in any subject.
• A degree in Project Management or Business Management may be particularly relevant, but it is not essential.
• You must be available to join AWE in September 2027.
• You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.
• You must be able to work onsite at Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire.

Salary and benefits

• £31,000 starting salary.
• A market-leading contributory pension scheme.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and employee discounts.
• A welcome payment and the option of an interest-free £1,000 loan.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression.

Support and community

• A dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead.
• A buddy, typically from an earlier Graduate cohort.
• A vibrant Early Careers community and access to employee networks.
• Structured leadership, business and behavioural development.
• Opportunities to learn from experienced project professionals across AWE.

Recruitment process and key dates

• Online application: Applications open on 2 November 2026. Apply for the pathway that best matches your interests and goals.
• Online assessment: If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments. Practice materials will be available.
• Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre planned for November 2026.
• Pre-assessment support: Attend guidance webinars so you know what to expect and can prepare.
• Offer and clearance: Successful candidates will move into the offer and security-clearance stages before joining in September 2027.

Security and onsite-working requirement

You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance. The role is based onsite at Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire.

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

AWE aims to create workplaces where differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process, with inclusion information handled in accordance with GDPR.

Use of external technologies

As part of our recruitment process, AWE may use a trusted third-party AI-enabled technology provider, Spotted Zebra Solutions Ltd, to support the assessment of candidates. These tools ingest categories of personal information including your application data, responses to assessment questions and interview responses, and help us evaluate information relevant to the recruitment process, such as skills, competencies, interview responses, assessment results and role suitability. They may generate recommendations or summaries to support recruiters and hiring managers. In some cases, you may interact directly with an AI-enabled tool during the interview or assessment process.

The purpose of these tools is to improve the consistency, efficiency and quality of our recruitment process. The outputs generated are reviewed by authorised AWE recruiters and hiring managers and are used alongside other relevant information as part of the overall recruitment process.

Please note: recruiting decisions will be made by recruiting and hiring teams only.

If you would like to request an additional human review, share your point of view, or contest a decision, you can contact us at earlycareers@awe.co.uk

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• 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.