AtkinsRéalis
Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear (Civil & Defence)

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Description
Overview
Are you an experienced Mechanical Engineer who is passionate about making the world a better place? Would you be excited to play a part in supporting the fight against climate change? Do you thrive in collaborative, creative environments? Are you looking for a challenging role that allows flexible working and work-life balance?
If this sounds like you, then we'd love to hear from you.
We are looking for Mechanical Engineers to expand and grow our Derby office to meet increasing client demand in the region. As a member of our team, you will work on a diverse and challenging range of complex projects for our clients, with opportunities to work within AtkinsRéalis design teams or directly with our clients by being embedded into their major programmes.
Whether you possess a breadth of experience from working across different markets or industries, or you already have a depth of experience working in Nuclear, we have the pipeline of opportunities to ignite your career and take your skills and experience to the next level. The variety and scale of projects we work on means that there is something for everybody, and we work hard to make sure that all of our staff have fulfilling and rewarding careers. Whatever our individual roles, we approach everything we do with a sense of curiosity, care, courage, and community.
You will have the opportunity to apply your existing skills and develop new skills across a wide range of projects across the full UK nuclear industry. In Reactor Operations, your core work will involve leading the design and substantiation of mechanical equipment to the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency, to enable the continued operation and life extension of our UK fleet of nuclear power stations and nuclear-powered submarines.
Our team also works closely with our Power New Build business, supporting Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, and the development of Small Modular Reactors and Fusion Energy reactors, as well as our Decommissioning business, supporting the safe dismantling, processing, and packaging of nuclear waste at the UK's nuclear estate at Sellafield and across the UK's decommissioning power stations and nuclear-powered submarines.
Your role
Whether you work in our offices or at client sites, you will be part of a team delivering a wide range of complex and exciting mechanical engineering and multi-disciplinary projects.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Whether it’s managing timescales, solving problems, or providing guidance to junior engineers, you’ll bring energy and focus – helping the team stay calm, connected, and focused on delivering outstanding outcomes for our clients.
You will enjoy drawing upon your strengths to deliver design and substantiation projects at all stages of the lifecycle, from providing technical input to bids, budgets, and schedules, working with clients to explore feasibility and option engineering solutions, to detailed design and construction.
You will be able to confidently liaise with, present to, and influence stakeholders at all levels both internally and externally, in understanding their issues, goals, and processes and to build strong, lasting relationships.
About you
You are someone who brings calm to complexity.
- You enjoy working in fast-paced environments and get a real sense of satisfaction from helping people stay organised and focused.
- You’re naturally collaborative – someone who builds strong relationships and keeps communication flowing.
- You’re comfortable juggling priorities, solving problems as they arise, and keeping things moving.
- You’ve worked with a range of engineering tools to design and substantiate mechanical equipment such as mechanical handling systems, machinery, test rigs, or mechanical components.
- You will understand how to deliver complex engineering projects through a structured design process, ensuring we deliver right-first-time solutions to our clients to time, cost, and quality.
- You will have experience working in the UK nuclear defence industry and be motivated to continuously develop your skills, whilst making a positive contribution to critical UK nuclear (civil and defence) programmes.
Rewards & benefits
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards, and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial, and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis
About AtkinsRéalis
We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data, and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers, and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.
Find out more.
Additional information
Security clearance
This role may require security clearance, and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role, please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive, and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.
Worker Type
- Employee
Job Type
- Regular
At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion, or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location