Turning curiosity into a career with impact
“I feel a strong connection to our purpose, and that is very important to me—understanding why I do what I do.” For Stacey, a Production Engineer at AWE, work has always been about more than a job description. It is about protecting people, solving complex problems, and being part of something that matters.
AWE’s mission is clear: to protect the UK through nuclear science and technology, ensuring safety and peace in line with international treaties. Far from the stereotype of weapons labs behind closed doors, today’s AWE is a place where innovation, collaboration, and national safety converge — and where people from all backgrounds can build extraordinary careers.
From a Christmas Eve physics paper to a career in national safety
Stacey’s story began long before she walked through AWE’s doors. As a teenager, she remembers one Christmas Eve, sitting in front of the TV with past exam papers in physics, purely for enjoyment. “I thought, ‘I must find this interesting’,” she laughs. Inspired by a charismatic teacher, she went on to study physics at university.
She hadn’t heard of AWE until another applicant mentioned it during a job interview. “Another applicant had mentioned AWE and I thought, ‘Oh, what’s this place?’” Curiosity piqued, she applied — and found herself on a journey that would span departments, technologies, and even the boundaries of traditional career paths.
An organisation evolving with purpose
For 75 years, AWE has been at the forefront of the UK’s nuclear deterrent programme. But the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the late 1990s changed the nature of its work. Today, instead of live weapons testing, AWE invests in advanced science, simulation, and detection technologies to ensure the safety and performance of the UK’s deterrent, monitor global treaty compliance, and protect against radiological threats.
This evolution means the organisation is now home to some of the world’s most advanced facilities, from the Orion laser to the Vulcan supercomputer, and the UK’s centre for forensic seismology. For employees, it means the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of science and technology, with a purpose that goes far beyond the lab.
A career built on curiosity and change
When Stacey joined, she started in the hydrodynamics department, modelling the behaviour of materials under extreme conditions. Later, she moved into nuclear threat reduction, developing technologies to detect radioactive materials and support counter-terrorism. “Many times in my career, I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m getting paid for this. This is fun’,” she says.
From there, she took on roles in operations management and capability strategy, deliberately moving between departments to broaden her expertise. “I’m very curious and every role I needed to learn something. I think it makes you a more rounded individual when you move around in your career.”
Today, as Production Engineer for the Astraea programme — the UK’s replacement warhead initiative — she leads a multidisciplinary team, overseeing new materials from design to manufacture. “I really, really enjoy my job,” she says.
AWE is a WORK180-endorsed employer, genuinely committed to advancing women’s careers.
Discover AWE’s formal policies for flexible work, career development opportunities, and more.
Opportunities for every background
AWE is actively recruiting a new cohort of talented individuals, particularly mid-career women. And you do not need a science degree to apply. Roles span logistics, IT, project management, operations, leadership, engineering, and physics.
The organisation is challenging outdated perceptions of the nuclear industry. Alongside its high-tech capabilities, it offers flexible work arrangements, support for caring responsibilities, and a commitment to improving female representation at all levels.
Why this work matters
Every role at AWE, whether in research, operations, or administration, contributes to protecting the UK and advancing science in service of peace. It is a workplace where skills from outside STEM can translate into meaningful contributions, and where personal growth is encouraged through varied career pathways.
Looking ahead
For Stacey, AWE has been more than an employer. It has been a platform to explore her curiosity, build new skills, and lead projects that have a tangible impact on safety and innovation.
“AWE is recruiting a new cohort of talented individuals, particularly mid-career women,” she says. For those ready for a career that blends purpose, flexibility, and cutting-edge science, the opportunity is wide open.
