Mechatronic Maintenance Level 3 Apprenticeship - Aldermaston

Mechatronic Maintenance Level 3 Apprenticeship - Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 4PR Job Type: Full-TimeSalary: Up to £16750 per annum

Mechatronic Maintenance Apprenticeship (Level 3 - Advanced) 

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 counter-terrorism 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:

As an apprentice you will initially be based at training facilities on site in Aldermaston, where you will develop your basic knowledge and core skills.

You will then progress on to the onsite aspect of your training. At this point you will start to apply and further develop these core skills in a live working environment. In addition to the practical aspects of your training, you will further your knowledge of mechatronics engineering through academic studies as you work towards the completion of your Level 3 Technical certificate.

As a Mechatronic Maintenance Apprentice at AWE, your role will include servicing, repairing, designing and installing various Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Programmable logic control (PLC) systems. These are all commonly used onsite to support the Machine Tools Engineering (MTE) and Trials & Test Technology Centre.

As a Mechatronic Maintenance Technician within either of these groups, you will be responsible for maintaining equipment within all our production-related facilities, within a diverse range of environments from conventional to specialist areas of the business, covering both Aldermaston and Burghfield sites. The goal of maintaining production and ensuring minimal downtime. These activities may include scheduled and breakdown maintenance on all aspects of engineering within the team. Within MTE, you may be involved in small projects and rebuilds of our assets, including condition-based monitoring and calibration of the equipment. 

About you:

• A practical aptitude for engineering or technology 

• Computer literacy (PC) 

• Excellent team working skills   

• Good communication skills 

• Awareness of health and safety 

• The ability to follow instructions 

• A real passion and motivation for this type of work 

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:

• Understanding how mechanical, electrical, electronic systems work

• Problem solving activities

• Being hands on

• Applying electrical and mechanical engineering principles into real life scenarios

Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeship:

Dependant on business needs, opportunities include:

• Pulsed Power Engineer

• Explosives Diagnostics Engineer

• Machine Tool Technician

Entry Requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English (Science desirable) 

• Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 31st August 2026 due to security clearance requirements   

• You must be a British National to apply for a role with us. 

• If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a degree level apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Standard:

Mechatronics Maintenance Technician standard (ST1326)

Training Provider:

Farnborough College of Technology

The Benefits:

• A starting salary of £16750 yearly, increasing to £23,500 in Year 2 and annually throughout your apprenticeship - subject to meeting key milestones and performance expectations.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme 

• Generous holiday entitlement of 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off 

• Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure 

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services 

Alongside these benefits you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field whilst helping us to continue to deliver national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism solutions. 

Location: Aldermaston / Reading area

Start Date: Tuesday 1st September 2026

Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 2nd October 2026 due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship.  Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.

Duration:

42 months plus 6 months End Point Assessment

Recruitment Process  

This vacancy will close on 11 th January 2026 , but we review applications as they come in-so we strongly encourage you to apply early.

We want you to shine in your application process which is designed to be fair and transparent. So we've kept it simple with a three-step process.

1. Online application: Apply for one apprenticeship; take your time to explore the options and choose the one that best matches your interests and goals.

2. Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Don't be intimidated: practice assessments will be available so you will be fully equipped with the knowledge of what to expect.

3. In person assessment: Those successful at testing will be invited to an in-person assessment centre. The Assessment Centre is scheduled for 2nd February. Please note that this date may be subject to change, but rest assured, we'll keep all applicants informed throughout the process.

These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process. All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.  

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.  

We encourage diverse applicants and we're here to support you all the way. We encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments on your application. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR. Learn about how we handle your data.

Contact us 

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at