AWE
Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3 – Advanced)
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Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3 – Advanced)
Opportunities
Opportunities are available across the following specialisms:
- Mechanical Maintenance
- Electrical Maintenance
- Control & Instrumentation Maintenance
- Precision Machining
- Mechatronic Maintenance
About AWE
We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.
Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.
We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counterterrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.
At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.
Be extraordinary at AWE.
About the apprenticeship
Engineering-related disciplines are at the heart of AWE, helping us maintain and develop the facilities, equipment and systems that support our mission to keep the nation safe and secure.
As a Level 3 Engineering Apprentice, you’ll apply through a single Engineering Apprenticeship route. During the selection process, we’ll take time to understand your interests, strengths and aspirations to help identify the engineering pathway that best suits you and aligns with business needs.
Throughout the selection process, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about our different engineering specialisms, meet members of the teams and ask questions about the pathways available. This will help us work together to determine the area that offers the best fit for your skills, potential and future development.
From the start of your apprenticeship, you will be aligned to your specific engineering pathway, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills, technical knowledge and industry experience within your specialist area. Through a combination of hands-on training and college study, you’ll build the foundations needed for a successful career.
This apprenticeship may involve travel to off-site training locations. Transport or expenses will be provided where applicable, and applicants should be willing to travel if required.
Following your initial training period, you will complete placements relevant to your pathway, working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists. You will apply your learning in a real working environment, further develop your technical skills and gain valuable experience supporting live engineering activities at AWE.
Engineering pathways covered by this apprenticeship
The pathway you follow will shape the type of engineering work you learn and the skills you develop. You do not need to know everything about each area before you apply — the selection process will help you learn more about the options and identify where your interests, strengths and potential may fit best.
Mechanical Maintenance
You’ll work hands-on with machinery and mechanical equipment, helping to find and fix faults, replace parts, and keep facilities and equipment running safely and reliably.
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Electrical Maintenance
You’ll work with electrical equipment, wiring and systems, helping to install, test, maintain and repair the technology that powers our facilities and equipment.
Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Maintenance
You’ll work with the sensors, instruments and control systems that help monitor and control temperature, pressure, flow and system performance, making sure equipment works as it should.
Precision Machining
You’ll use specialist machines, drawings and measuring tools to make accurate components to the right shape, size and finish, developing precision, attention to detail and practical manufacturing skills.
Mechatronic Maintenance
You’ll work with mechanical, electrical and automated systems, helping to maintain advanced equipment and understand how different engineering areas work together.
Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeship
Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, and subject to business need and your career aspirations, you’ll move into a role within the business, aligned to the pathway you have trained in.
Whatever pathway you follow, you’ll become part of a skilled community, supporting some of the UK’s most unique facilities, equipment, processes and technologies, while continuing to develop your career at AWE.
About you
- A willingness to learn and develop in a hands-on environment throughout your apprenticeship and career
- An interest in practical engineering, technology or finding out how things work
- Good communication skills
- Excellent team working skills
- Awareness of health and safety
- The ability to follow instructions
- A logical and structured approach to problem solving
- A real passion and motivation for this type of work
This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:
- Understanding how things work
- Solving practical problems
- Being hands-on and learning by doing
- Working with tools, equipment or technology
- Mathematics, science, engineering or design and technology subjects
- Checking details carefully and making sure work meets a required standard
- Working as part of a team to achieve a shared goal
- Exploring different engineering areas and seeing where your skills and interests could lead.
Entry Requirements
- 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English
- Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 17 or over by 31 August 2027.
- If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a degree level apprenticeship.
The benefits
- Starting salary of £16,750, increasing to £24,500 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme
- Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.
- Access to employee discounts portal, with everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
- Employee Assistance Support Programme and Occupational Health Services
Alongside these benefits, you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the UK’s leading engineers and technical specialists, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism.
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Location
Reading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on your apprenticeship pathway, placements and business needs. Due to the nature of our work and security requirements, you should expect to work on-site during your apprenticeship and in your role after you complete it. Being on-site means you can learn directly from experienced technical specialists, access hands-on support, and build valuable connections across the business.
Start date
Wednesday 1st September 2027. To help you settle in and complete the essential induction and training at the start of your apprenticeship, annual leave will not normally be granted between 1st September and 1st October 2027. After this initial period, annual leave requests must be agreed in advance and will need to fit around the requirements of your apprenticeship training programme.
Apprenticeship Duration
The Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship will typically take around 3 to 4 years to complete, depending on your engineering pathway, training plan and progress through the programme.
During your apprenticeship, you will complete a mix of college-based learning, practical skills development and workplace placements. This will help you build the technical knowledge, hands-on experience and behaviours needed for your chosen engineering pathway.
You will be supported throughout the programme by AWE, your training provider and your placement teams. More detailed information about the structure of each pathway, including any off-site training requirements, will be shared during the assessment and offer process.
Recruitment Process
This vacancy will close on Sunday 31st January 2027, but we review applications as they come in—so we strongly encourage you to apply early.
We want you to shine in an application process that is fair, transparent and designed to help you demonstrate your potential, so we’ve kept it simple with a four-step process.
- Online application: Submit one application for the Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship. Take your time to complete your application and explore the pathways available. If you have a preference for a particular engineering pathway, you can indicate this on the application form.
- Online test: If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to complete the next stage of the process, which includes online assessments covering numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning. There’s no need to worry if you’ve never completed these types of assessments before, as practice tests will be available in advance to help you prepare and understand what to expect.
- Activity Assessment Session: All candidates who progress to this stage will be invited to attend an Activity Assessment Session, even if they have already identified a preferred engineering pathway on their application form. The session is designed to help us assess your suitability for the apprenticeship, understand your strengths and potential, and support pathway matching based on your preferences, assessor observations and business needs. It will also give you the opportunity to explore different engineering specialisms, take part in practical activities, meet members of the team and consider roles you may not have thought about before. These sessions will take place on 20 January, 27 January and 22 February 2027.
- In-person assessment centre: Candidates who
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