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.

Principal Ethics Specialist

Closing date: 11th June 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking Travel to other sites may be required.

Package: £60,400 – £80,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

This role leads AWE’s ethics strategy, setting the vision, frameworks, and culture that ensure concerns are raised, investigated, and resolved with integrity. You will drive a long‑term, organisation‑wide ethics programme, shaping the policies and behaviours that embed ethical decision‑making at every level.

As the organisation’s expert on ethical conduct, you will provide trusted guidance, oversee complex investigations, and champion openness and transparency. You will create clear expectations, accessible advice, and reliable escalation routes that strengthen AWE’s integrity, performance, and credibility.

Duties to include:

• Sets the ethics strategy for the organisation, defining the long‑term direction and priorities.
• Owns the development and continuous improvement of ethics policies, processes, and procedures.
• Maintains confidential escalation routes for raising Business Ethics concerns.
• Attends and reports into governance committees, including Executive and Board‑level forums.
• Ensures regular organisation‑wide ethics communications and training are delivered and understood.
• Advises senior leaders and the wider business on ethical risks and the implications of strategic and operational decisions.

Responsibilities to include:

• Leads, coaches, and develops leaders and employees to model appropriate ethical behaviours.
• Conducts and oversees investigations into ethical concerns.
• Monitors and maintains ethical processes, procedures, and escalation pathways to ensure they remain effective.
• Provides confidential advice and support to employees and leaders on ethical issues.
• Ensures ethics‑related policies remain current, compliant, and well communicated across the organisation.
• Designs and delivers ethics communications, awareness initiatives, and training programmes.
• Operates and manages the ethics support and concerns helpline.
• Measures and reports ethics performance to executives and key stakeholders.

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

#LI-AH1

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.