Nuclear Safety Engineer

Nuclear Safeguards Graduate | September 2027

• Location: Various sites across the UK – travel and relocation required
• Salary: £30,000 per year
• Programme duration: Two years, including three secondments
• Start date: September 2027
• Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 6 November 2026

Start your career at the intersection of science, regulation and international security.

Our client is recruiting a Nuclear Safeguards Graduate for a structured development programme offering experience across the UK nuclear sector.

Nuclear safeguards are measures used to verify that nuclear materials from civil programmes remain in peaceful use. This opportunity will give you insight into how regulation, nuclear material accounting and international cooperation help the UK meet its safeguards obligations.

Across two years and three secondments, you will learn from experienced specialists, develop your technical knowledge and contribute to work with national and international significance.

Key eligibility criteria

To be considered, you must:

• Have a minimum 2:2 in a relevant degree subject . Applications are welcomed from candidates with a BSc or MSc in a relevant STEM, security or political science subject .
• Have the right to work in the UK for the full two-year programme , subject to satisfactory checks.
• Successfully complete the required security clearance checks .
• Be willing and able to travel and relocate across the UK . Locations will vary depending on your sponsoring organisation and secondments.
• Be available to start in September 2027 .

What you’ll do

Working alongside regulatory specialists, you will develop your understanding of how nuclear safeguards operate in practice. You will have opportunities to contribute to work that:

• Supports compliance with domestic safeguards regulations.
• Examines how nuclear operators account for and control qualifying nuclear material.
• Helps the UK meet its international safeguards obligations.
• Supports the national system for accounting for and controlling nuclear material.
• Facilitates international safeguards verification activities in the UK.

You will also develop your ability to build effective working relationships with nuclear site operators, government bodies and international partners.

What we’re looking for

You will combine technical or subject knowledge with:

• Strong analytical thinking and the ability to assess information carefully.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• A collaborative approach and effective teamwork.
• The ability to build relationships and influence others constructively.
• Sound judgement and attention to detail.
• Self-awareness, including recognising when to seek specialist guidance.
• An interest in nuclear safeguards, regulation and the peaceful use of nuclear materials.

What’s on offer

• £30,000 annual salary.
• £5,500 individual travel budget for programme-related training and meetings.
• £3,500 flexible individual training budget.
• Three secondments providing experience across the UK nuclear sector.
• A tailored professional development programme.
• A dedicated mentor, day-to-day sponsor support and an experienced programme team.
• Membership of up to two professional institutions.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Six discretionary days’ leave for study and relocation.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• Employee assistance, including access to a 24/7 support line, wellbeing resources and employee discounts.
• Access to a cycle-to-work scheme.

You will be employed by the programme delivery organisation throughout the two years. On completion, you will receive support to secure a role with your sponsoring organisation or within the wider nuclear sector.

The recruitment process

1. Online application.
2. Online psychometric assessment.
3. A 30-minute video interview with representatives from a sponsoring organisation.
4. An in-person assessment centre in early 2027.
5. Offer, pre-employment checks and onboarding.

Please ensure you can attend an in-person assessment centre, as being unable to attend may prevent you from completing the selection process. Invitations and updates will be sent by email, so check your inbox and junk folder regularly.

Apply by 12 noon on Friday 6 November 2026. Late applications will not be considered, and the vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received. Please submit only one application to the graduate programme.

Inclusive recruitment

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. The programme is committed to offering interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Where eligible application numbers are high, applicants whose skills and experience most closely match the role will be prioritised.