Electronic Design Apprenticeship
Awe PLC · Reading · posted 14 October 2026
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As an Electronic Design Apprentice, you will start by learning the basics of electronics through practical projects. You will then spend time in different teams across the business, building your skills and understanding how electronics are used at AWE. Alongside this, you will attend college part-time to work towards a Higher National Diploma (HND). After completing your HND, you will move into the final two years of your apprenticeship, where you will complete further placements and work towards your Apprenticeship End Point Assessment, which is the final stage of your degree apprenticeship.
Through a mix of college learning, planned placements and hands-on experience at work, you will develop skills in:
- Basic electronic theory
- Recognising and understanding different electronic components
- Circuit design
- Circuit construction
- Semiconductor theory
- Finding and fixing faults in electronic circuits
- Recording and explaining your work clearly
- Test and measurements
Your training
The apprenticeship is 60 months followed by the End Point Assessment.
Where it leads
On completion, you will be ready to join one of our engineering teams as an Electronic Design Engineer. Depending on the business need and the experience you develop, your career could include:
- Analogue Electronic Engineer – designing and supporting electronic circuits that control power supplies and other equipment.
- Firmware Engineer or Digital Electronic Engineer – creating the instructions and digital designs that help electronic systems work, using specialist languages such as VHDL or SystemVerilog.
- Pulsed Power Engineer – working with high-voltage power systems, energy storage and switching equipment.
- RF Electronic Engineer – working with radio-frequency systems, including equipment that sends and receives signals.
- Embedded Software Engineer – writing software that is built into electronic devices and systems, using programming languages such as C++ or Java.
- Electronic Systems Engineer – helping to define what a system needs to do, how it should be designed, and how to check that it works correctly.
About Awe PLC
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.
Things to consider
Start Date: 1st September 2027.
Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October 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.
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.
If you choose to share information on your application form about support needs, learning differences, disabilities, health conditions or adjustments, we may contact you to understand how we can support you through the recruitment process. This information will only be used for this purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.
Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August 2027.
Skills they're looking for
Entry requirements
- GCSE 5 GCSEs inc English and Maths (grade 4/C or above) — essential
- A Level Maths or Stem related or BTEC (grade C or abvove) — essential
- BTEC BTEC level 3 /HNC/HND/T level (or A levels) (grade C or above) — essential
Where you'll work
- Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR
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