2027 Warrington Summer Placement Programme

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 summer placement opportunities in our Design Engineering profession for those studying Civil Engineering.

Design Engineering

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 their 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 Masters in Civil Engineering or a related subject.
• 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 Warrington

Design the solutions to challenges that don’t come with a blueprint. As a placement student in Design Engineering at Sellafield, you’ll help shape some of the UK’s most complex and nationally important projects. Working from our Risley, Warrington office, you’ll collaborate with specialists across engineering, infrastructure and innovation to develop the facilities, systems and technologies needed to support environmental restoration and the UK’s sustainable nuclear future. This is an opportunity to apply your ideas to real-world challenges, accelerate your professional development and build a career with purpose, knowing your work will help create a cleaner, safer future for generations to come.

Our Design Engineering programmes are based in Warrington – a vibrant town in the Northwest with great transport links and affordable cost of living. Perfectly positioned between Manchester and Liverpool, you’ll have two major cities (and all their culture, sport and nightlife) just a short train ride away. With plenty of shops, restaurants and gyms Warrington offers the ideal balance between opportunity, lifestyle and affordability.

Our Application Process

• Applications for our Summer Placement Programmes close on Friday 23rd October 2026.
• Once you’ve applied, you’ll be invited to complete an online assessment. The date you receive this will depend on when you submit your application. You’ll be given a deadline to complete it and can expect to receive your outcome in mid-November.
• Video interviews will take place between 2nd – 20th November 2026.
• Please note that if you’re unable to attend a video interview during the dates outlined above, you may not be able to progress through the recruitment process.
• Expected start date: July 2027.

Accessibility and Inclusion

• At Sellafield, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and supportive recruitment experience where everyone can succeed.
• We’re proud to be recognised as a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and experiences.
• Reasonable adjustments are available throughout every stage of our recruitment process, including online assessments, video interviews and assessment centres.
• If you require any adjustments or additional support, we’ll work with you to make sure you can demonstrate your skills and perform at your best.
• If you’d like to discuss any support requirements before or during your application, please contact our recruitment team. We’re happy to help and encourage candidates to speak to us as early as possible so we can ensure the right support is in place.

Before You Apply

Before you start your application, please complete our immersive, realistic preview into the life of a placement student at Sellafield before you start your application. Completing this preview will take less than 10 minutes and will help you understand both the type of challenges you may encounter, and if you’re likely to enjoy working here. Click below to begin our realistic scheme preview:

https://rjp.neurosight.io/enc/GstpeCB9sNwskEQJLRjklUL_08BtbwY7CzXcJJn2X04

*Please note – requires an iPhone updated to at least iOS 14, or an updated Android device. Also accessible on tablets or laptops – Chrome is the recommended browser, although Safari also works on iO4 14 or better

Applications for our summer placement programmes will close on Friday 23rd October 2026.

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.