Design Engineering graduate programme

Our Edvance Design Engineering programme offers a fantastic opportunity if you're passionate about Design Engineering and have an interest in nuclear energy. This 30-month programme consists of various assignments within our Nuclear Development team, including 18 months in France.  By the end of it, you’ll be ready to embark on a range of uniquely rewarding design engineer careers in Nuclear Development and will be well on the way to Chartership within your discipline area.

Edvance is a joint venture between EDF and Framatome, an engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) organisation established in 2018. Edvance UK is the UK branch of Edvance Société par Actions Simplifiée (Edvance SAS) and is currently dedicated to the design of the Nuclear Island for Hinkley Point C (and preparations for Sizewell C). 

We're based in a newly refurbished, modern office in Aztec West in Bristol. There are over 300 of us here and we’re proud that it feels like a big multi-cultural family - we have over 40 different nationalities.

New UK EPR Design Centre opens in Bristol

“We are bringing together the best of French, British and international nuclear engineering experience"

Hear Tilly Spencer, Director Edvance UK, tell us how the new Design Centre in Bristol will enable EDF to bring together skilled and experienced teams to develop and build new nuclear power stations and help Britain achieve net zero.

Search jobs and apply

Our Design Engineering Graduate Scheme has now closed for applications.

 

Programmes available

• Civil Engineering

• Electrical and C&I Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Physics

• General Engineering

Search below for current opportunities.

Where we could take you

At the end of the graduate scheme you’ll take up a full-time role in your assigned business area  – building on the skills you have developed. The learning opportunities and mentoring don’t stop after your graduate programme is finished. Over the next few years, you’ll build on your specialist skills, taking on more projects and responsibilities and helping us shape the future of energy.

What’s in it for you?

• Starting salary of £27,500

• 25 days’ annual leave

• Pension scheme

• Regular pay reviews

• Annual performance bonus

• Flexible benefits package

• Wellbeing and support services

• Relocation support for moving between attachments and into a new role after the programme.

Locations

You'll need to be able to relocate during the scheme. You’ll spend the first 12 months based at Edvance UK or Hinkley Point C (“HPC”) in the South West, where you'll spend time at our design office in Aztec West (Bristol) or in the site-based engineering teams at HPC. The final 18 months of your programme will be spent at our design offices in France, before you relocate back to the UK to work within one of the Edvance UK design offices.

Training, Development and Support

We’re passionate about your development and offer a tailored training path that will strengthen your skills, knowledge and behaviours both during the scheme and in your future career. We place a particular focus on your technical development, with a range of learning interventions ranging from nuclear fundamentals, system appreciations through to nuclear safety. You’ll also undertake key behavioural development as well as French language and cultural training programmes, considering areas such as presentation skills and business communications. 

You’ll have lots of support along the way from your line manager, a recent graduate buddy and a Chartered technical mentor (in a relevant discipline). Our Young Professionals Network will also welcome you to their network where they provide an effective platform to learn, lead and connect.  It’s a good opportunity for you to knowledge share with fellow graduates and trainees from our other programmes.

  • 1. Induction

    Start your journey at EDF by getting to know your fellow graduates and meeting some key business contacts during a week-long induction at our state of the art facility, Cannington Court (Somerset).

    2. The first 12 months

    You’ll spend the first 12 months of the scheme working in Edvance UK or Hinkley Point C (HPC) in the South West, where you will spend time at our design office in Aztec West (Bristol) or in the site-based engineering teams at HPC.   

  • 3. France

    The final 18 months of your programme will be spent at our design offices in France. You will gain more experience and develop your skills as you prepare to interview for a permanent role back in the UK at the end of the scheme.

    4. UK

    Your permanent role will be identified as a Design Engineer within one of our Edvance UK design offices and include positions within the design teams for piping, civils and layout, process and electrical system design.

  • 5. Tailored Training

    You’ll be given time to invest in your technical and behavioural skills development and the chance to learn from others and build networks that will help you moving forward in your career.  

    6. The Future

    Within one year of completion of the programme you’ll be applying the skills and knowledge you have gained as you build your career in design engineering. After two years you should be ready to move into a more technically advanced role and possibly take on some supervisory and leadership responsibilities. Five years from completing the programme you could be a technical specialist or manager and be able to apply your experience in numerous areas of EDF Group, not to mention being well on your way to becoming a Chartered Engineer. 

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is rigorous, but fair. A chance for us to find out whether your calling is to shape the future of energy – and if EDF is the perfect home for your talents.
  • 1. Apply online
    Your journey starts by registering online and completing the application form. We’ll ask for key information such as qualifications and work experience and why you want to work here.
    2. Online situational strengths testing
    If you look like a good match for EDF, we’ll ask you to complete an online situational strengths test. This assessment will give you the opportunity to show us your strengths and will give you an insight into the work our graduates are involved in.
    3. Online ability testing
    Next, we’ll ask you to complete an online numerical reasoning test.
  • 4. Telephone interview
    Get through the online stage and you’ll have the chance to tell us more about yourself during a short telephone interview. As well as giving more evidence of the skills and qualities we’re looking for, you’ll be able to show us you’ve given careful thought to your career choice.
    5. Assessment centre
    The last stage is to meet us at our assessment centre. Here, you’ll take part in various exercises designed to show us whether you have the ability and attitude needed to do well here. We’ll see how well you approach tasks, deal with issues and work with others. You’ll also get to learn more about our culture, our people and our programmes, as well as having the opportunity to demonstrate your technical knowledge and capability at interview stage.
  • 6. Offer
    Congratulations – you’ve made it through the interviews and we’d love for you to join our team. We’ll make you an offer as soon as possible after the assessment centre. If you accept, it’s the start of a very exciting career with EDF. 
    We’ll keep in touch throughout the summer to make sure you’ve got everything you need for the months ahead. We’ll also invite you to a range of events where you can meet other new starters and get a feel for life here.

Search jobs and apply

Our Design Engineering Graduate Scheme has now closed for applications.