Looking for a placement where you’ll really feel valued?
Join Sellafield and help create a clean and safe environment for future generations while shaping the UK’s sustainable future through world-first engineering, science and innovation.
This year, we have 10 week summer placement opportunities in our Engineering & Maintenance profession for those studying Chemical, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering.
Engineering & Maintenance
Whichever subject you’re studying, you’ll play a meaningful role in helping us deliver nationally important work, develop specialist skills and build a career with purpose.
Our summer placement programme
Our Summer Student Scheme gives you the opportunity to put your learning into practice and gain valuable experience in a professional environment during your university studies. Through a structured and supported programme, you’ll work on real projects that contribute to Sellafield’s nationally important mission while developing the skills, confidence and experience needed for your future career. Alongside building technical competence in your chosen area, you’ll take part in dedicated learning and development activities designed to enhance your professional skills and broaden your understanding of the industry. It’s a great opportunity to gain meaningful experience, expand your network and explore future career opportunities with Sellafield, including progression onto our Graduate Development Scheme.
You’ll receive dedicated support throughout your placement, and by the end you could be rewarded with a conditional offer on our graduate programme for the year you graduate. You can start to build professional networks and pave your own path to success.
What you’ll get
Summer Placement students’ salary will be dependent on what age you are when you join us and will be pro-rated over the 10 weeks you’re with us. You’ll also receive holiday allowance that reflects your length of employment with us.
- Ages 18–20: £23,068 pro-rata
- Ages 21 and over: £27,043 pro-rata
During your placement with us you will get the opportunity to work towards objectives that if met, you will be offered the opportunity to return on our graduate programme once you have completed your degree. Subject to there being a suitable graduate position available.
All of our employees can benefit from our 18 support networks, including the Nuclear Autism Support Network, oneLGBTQ+ Network and Gender Balance Networks, to name a few.
What we’ll need from you
We want you to succeed with us, so we’re asking for you to:
- Be on track to achieve a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelors degree in a relevant subject to the scheme you’re applying to (please refer to the individual scheme requirements for full details).
- Have a willingness to relocate to West Cumbria for the duration of the programme.
- Have a commitment to working on or around the Sellafield site and supporting the delivery of our mission to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.
- Have a genuine interest in building a career within the nuclear industry and developing your professional and technical expertise.
- Have the ability to solve problems, think critically and approach challenges with curiosity and a willingness to learn.
- Have the drive to take ownership of your own development and make the most of the opportunities available through the programme.
- Have a proactive attitude, a willingness to try new things and the resilience to work through complex challenges.
- Have a commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety, security and professionalism.
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role.
We’re looking for people who are curious, motivated and ready to make a difference. You don’t need nuclear experience, but you do need the enthusiasm to learn, the confidence to challenge yourself and the ambition to help deliver work that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Life in Cumbria
Build a career that makes a difference from day one. With us, you won’t be spending your placement programme on the sidelines. You’ll work on real projects that help tackle some of the UK’s biggest environmental, engineering and nuclear challenges, while contributing to our mission of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations. Based in West Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District, you’ll be part of a team developing innovative solutions that support the UK’s sustainable future, reduce environmental risk and leave a lasting positive impact for generations to come. Alongside structured development, professional support and world-class expertise, you’ll gain experience that’s genuinely hard to find anywhere else.
You’ll be working directly on our site in West Cumbria, right on the edge of the breathtaking Lake District National Park. It’s a place where your weekends can be filled with hiking, cycling, or kayaking and your evenings end with sunsets over the fells. Away from the bustle of big cities you’ll enjoy fresh air, open space and a lower cost of living – without missing out on communities, activities or connections. And when you do fancy a city break, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow are just a few hours away. It’s the perfect balance of career opportunity and quality of life.
Enjoy affordable housing and living costs that go much further than big cities. Rural doesn’t mean isolated, you’ll still find shops, restaurants and gyms – just without the city chaos.
Before you apply
Please be aware that this role is subject to achieving security clearance. This role requires higher level of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 years of continuous residency in the UK. Factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the level of clearance you’re able to achieve.
From student to nuclear professional – your journey begins here. Join us and help shape the UK’s sustainable nuclear future with a company built on history.
