Physics Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship

Job Details

Physics Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship

About The Role

As a Physics Laboratory Technician Apprentice, you will spend the first few weeks of your apprenticeship within AWE’s Skills Academy before moving out into placements within the business. Experimental Physics at AWE involves the study of unusual materials in extreme conditions. Placements range from working with high power lasers to diagnosing high explosives. 

During the time in placements, you will undertake and complete various laboratory-based projects which will enable you to develop a complete set of skills and knowledge required to work successfully at AWE.

During your apprenticeship journey, you will learn the following skills:

• Preparing and setting up optical equipment
• Assembly and metrology of complex physics experiments
• Operating diagnostic equipment
• Use of specialist laboratory equipment
• Checking and reporting of results
• Laboratory safety
• Handling of hazardous substances – awareness of radioactive and explosive materials
• Quality and its application in a laboratory environment
• Customer service skills

In addition, you will also be given the opportunity for personal development through activities such as team building challenges, organisational awareness presentations, health and safety workshops and charity projects.

A part of this role will require wearing Health and Safety equipment such as a respirator. Therefore, successful candidates will need to undergo a medical assessment for suitability for the position within the required parameters for the health and safety equipment’s requirements.

About You

• Excellent team working skills  
• Good communication skills
• Awareness of health and safety
• The ability to follow instructions
• The ability to concentrate for long periods
• A real passion for this type of work
• Computer literate particularly with MS Office (Excel, PowerBI, and Power Point) 

Entry Requirements

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths, English and Science
• Applicants must be aged 18 or over, as of 31st August 2025 due to security clearance requirements
• You must be a British National to apply for a role with us.

The Benefits

• We offer our apprentices a starting salary of £16,750, increasing annually throughout your apprenticeship
• Market leading contributory pension scheme 
• Generous holiday entitlement 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.

About AWE

We are AWE. We're a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure.  

Our work is critical. We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for the UK's nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies that keep the nation safe. 

AWE’s support for the government’s strategy takes many facets: from supporting the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UK’s counter terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology. 

Start an extraordinary career at AWE; grow your skills, learn from industry experts and become part of a community at one of the most unique companies in the UK.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.